Protective effects of puerarin injection on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits

Objective: To explore the protective effects of Puerarin injection on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI). Methods: Using a HIRI model, 30 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operation group (n=10), ischemia-reperfusion group (n=10), and Puerarin group(n=10). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, alanine aminotransferase(ALT)activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in both serum and hepatic tissue were measured in various groups, and the morphological changes in hepatocytes were also observed during HIRI. Results: Compared to IR group respectively in the Puerarin treated group, serum SOD XO GSH-Px ALT activities and MDA contents significantly changed at 45 minute ischemia and 45 minuter reperfusion. the abnormal changes of all above parameters were significant differences(P0.05 or P0.01) and hepatocyte damage in morphologically was remarkably ameliorated. Conclusions: Puerarin injection has notable protective effects on HIRI. by scavenging oxygen free radicals and anti-lipid peroxidation reaction.