The protective effects of beta-carotene against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat ovarian tissue.

BACKGROUND

Beta-carotene is a well-known antioxidant and precursor of Vitamin A that has a preventative role in the oxidative damage process. Our aim was to investigate the possible preventive effects of beta-carotene on oxidative damage via experimental ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion models in rat ovaries.

METHODS

A traumatic vascular clamps were used for 3h to induce ischemia (Group 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The clamps were then removed to allow reperfusion for 3h (Group 3, 6, 7). Sham-operated rats (Group 1) underwent laparotomy without the induction of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Real-Time-PCR was performed to determine IL-1-beta, IL-6 and iNOS expression levels. Histopathological (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining (NF-kβ p65) processes were then performed. Finally, SOD, GSH, and MDA levels were determined.

RESULTS

Intense hemorrhagic areas were observed in both the ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion groups, whereas minimal hemorrhage was observed in the treatment groups. The ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion groups exhibited extreme immunoreactivity, detected by NF-kβ p65 staining; this reactivity decreased after the application of beta-carotene. The expression of IL-1-beta, IL-6, and iNOS in the injury groups increased significantly, whereas a dose-dependent improvement was observed in the treatment groups. Finally, MDA levels increased significantly and SOD and GSH levels decreased drastically in the injury groups. However, these values obtained from I/R groups were normalized after beta-carotene treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we demonstrated via molecular and biochemical parameters the protective effect of beta-carotene, which is a potent antioxidant, on the experimental ischemia-reperfusion model.