Portal sinusoids' neutrophil plugging after experimental ischemia reperfusion liver injury

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was the demonstration of a
relationship between reduced liver microcirculation - after
different periods of ischemia-reperfusion - and the number
of neutrophils plugged to the microvasculature at
reperfusion.
Ninety male Wistar rats were included in the study. These
were subdivided into control group, 30min ischemia and
60min ischemia groups as well as 30min ischemia - 60min
reperfusion and 60min ischemia - 60min reperfusion
groups. Samples of liver tissue were obtained for the
assessment of the number of neutrophils entrapped within
portal sinusoids, after histochemical staining and
morphometry. Hepatic microcirculation was estimated by
laser-Doppler flowmetry. Additionally, ALT serum levels
were evaluated, as an established marker of liver ischemiareperfusion
injury.
A course of 60min ischemia - 60min reperfusion resulted
to a statistically significant increase of neutrophils plugged
within liver sinusoids in relation to the 30min ischemia -
60min reperfusion [p=0.001]. Similarly, hepatic tissue
microcirculation exhibited a flux recovery of 70% in 30min
ischemia - 60min reperfusion group and only 57% in the
60min ischemia - 60min reperfusion group [p=0,001].
Serum ALT activities were found significantly increased during reperfusion, in both groups.
It is thus concluded that capillary perfusion failure
occurring during liver reperfusion depends on ischemia
time and is associated with a significant increase of
neutrophils accumulation into liver sinusoids.
Key words: liver, ischemia/reperfusion injury, neutrophils,
microcirculation