Gadolinium chloride and salvia miltiorrhiza compound ameliorate reperfusion injury in hepatocellular mitochondria.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of gadolinium chloride (GaCl(3)) and salvia miltiorrhiza compound (SMCo) on ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury in hepatocellular mitochondria.

METHODS

Wistar rats were randomly to divided into control group, GaCl(3) group, SMCo group and GaCl(3) + SMCo group (n=15 each). GaCl(3) (7 mg x kg(-1)) was injected into tail vein on d 1 and d 2 in contrast group. SMCo (2 ml x kg(-1)) was injected into muscle on d 1 and d 2 in SMCo group. GaCl(3)+SMCo group received both GaCl(3) (iv) and SMCo (im) injection. Control group received saline injection only. On d 3, all the rats were subjected to 2 h ischemia in the middle and left lobes of the liver, followed by reperfusion for 2 h, 6 h and 18 h respectively. The level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatocellular mitochondria was measured. Pathological changes in hepatic tissue and in hepatocellular mitochondria were determined with optical microscope and electronic microscope,respectively.

RESULTS

Remarkablly pathohistological and biochemical changes were detected after 6 h of I/R. Compared with control, the level of ALT was decreased in GaCl(3), SMCo and GaCl(3)+SMCo treated groups (1,314.0+/-278.7 vs 809.4+/-196.1, 716.6+/-242.8 and 837.2+/-190.6 IU x L(-1), respectively. P<0.05). Similarly, the level of MDA was decreased in GaCl(3), SMCo and GaCl(3)+SMCo treated groups (293.1+/-51.1 vs 190.8+/-55.5, 214.3+/-32.9 and 221.0+/-47.3 nmol x g(-1), respectively, P<0.05). Accordingly, in control group, swelling, degeneration, focal necrosis, infiltration of leucocyte were found in reperfused tissue under an optical microscope, and mitochondria swelling, rupture and even breakdown were seen under an electronic microscope. These pathohistological and ultrastructural damages caused by I/R were greatly attenuated in GaCl(3), SMCo and GaCl(3)+SMCo treated groups. However, there was no additive effect observed when GaCl(3) and SMCo were used together.

CONCLUSIONS

Both GaCl(3) and SMCo can alleviate the I/R injury in hepatocellular mitochondria.