Protective effect of N2-mercaptopropionylglycine on rats and dogs liver during ischemia/reperfusion process

Abstract

Background - N2-mercaptopropionylglycine is a powerful super oxide synthesis inhibitor and has been tested as a preventive agent of metabolic and structural hepatic damage in the ischemia/reperfusion process. Aim - To analyze some effects of N2-mercaptopropionylglycine administration to animals of two species submitted to normothermic liver ischemia/reperfusion. Material and Methods - Twenty-two rats and 22 dogs were divided into four groups: group I: rats that received intravenous saline 0.9%; group II: rats that received 100 mg/kg of N 2-mercaptopropionylglycine; group III: dogs that received saline intravenous 0.9% and group IV: dogs that received 100 mg/kg N 2-mercaptopropionylglycine. Results - Ten minutes after the saline or drug administration, each group was submitted to left lobe liver ischemia for 25 minutes followed by reperfusion. Biochemical studies 24 hours after reperfusion revealed a significantly lower elevation of transaminases in animals of groups II (AST = 271 ± 182; ALT = 261 ± 161) and IV (AST = 101 ± 45; ALT = 123 ± 89) when compared to the controls group: I (AST = 2144 ± 966; ALT = 1869 ± 1040 00) and III (AST = 182 ± 76.51; ALT = 277 ± 219), respectively. Histology study demonstrated a significantly minor aggression to animals of groups II and IV when compared to groups I and III, respectively. Conclusion - These results suggest a significant release of free radicals of oxygen in the process and that N2-mercaptopropionylglycine may have a significant protective effect on liver parenchyma when submitted to ischemia/reperfusion.