Effects of remifentanil on hepatic cell apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 in rats with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective To investigate the effects of remifentanil on hepatic cell apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 in rats with intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group(C group,n=6),ischemia-reperfusion group(IR group,n=18),remifentanil group(R group,n=18).The rats were executed in each group after reperfusion for 1 h,3 h and 6 h,respectively.A rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion was established by blocking the superior mesenteric artery with clap.The left hepatic lobes were sampled at the end of reperfusion.Expression of caspase-3 protein in liver tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical method.The apoptosis index(AI)of hepatic cells was measured by TUNEL method. Results Caspase-3 protein expression and AI of hepatic cells were significantly higher in IR group and R group than in C group(P0.05),but lower in R group than in IR group(P0.05). Conclusion Remifentanil can relieve the hepatic cell apoptosis by decreasing caspase-3 protein expression,which may protect liver from intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.