Effects of treatment with
prostaglandin E1 (
PgE1) on normothermic liver
ischemia were studied in male Lewis rats. Animals were subjected to 90 min of warm liver
ischemia. Two groups of rats were constituted: group A (no treatment) and group B (
PgE1 treatment).
PgE1 (100 micrograms/kg) was given as a bolus 2 min before induction of
ischemia and 2 min before the end of
ischemia. Survival rates were assessed and, 6 h after the end of
ischemia, serum
transaminases, histology of the liver, Kupffer cell activity were evaluated.
PgE1 treatment significantly improved survival rate (80%) in comparison with the nontreated group (40%). A significant reduction in
transaminase levels was observed after
PgE1 The extent of
necrosis and congestion was improved by
PgE1 treatment. Sheep red blood cell 51Cr liver uptake was deeply depressed 6 h after the end of
ischemia in group A (6 +/- 2.3%/g tissue), and was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) after
PgE1 administration in group B (32.98 +/- 11.7%/g tissue). Our results demonstrate that
PgE1 is able to protect the liver from ischemic insult. The mechanism by which
prostaglandins exert this beneficial effect on normothermic liver
ischemia may be related to their action on hepatic macrophages.