Expression of hepatocyte apoptosis controlling gene after orthotopic liver transplantation in rats

Objective To investigate the apoptosis of hepatocytes and its controlling gene Bcl-2 and FasL expression after the donor liver reperfusion in rat orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT).Methods Seventy-two SD male rats were randomly divided into sham operation and transplantation group.Perfusing and preserving solution was Ringer's lactate solution.Grafts were preserved for 4 hours then transplanted orthotopically.One,six and 24 hours after reperfusion,the recipients were sacrificed.The serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspirate aminotransferase(AST) were measured and the changes of hepatocyte apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL).The controlling apoptosis gene Bcl-2 and FasL protein expression were measured with flow cytometer.Results After reperfusion serum ALT,AST levels in transplantation group were significantly higher than those in control group.In comparison with control group,the apoptosis index of liver at each time point in transplantation group were significantly increased(34.66±5.04,42.52±6.13,27.66±5.03),while the Bcl-2 levels were lower(18.36±2.83,12.59±1.84,21.93±2.28) and the FasL levels were higher(22.62±1.88,26.93±1.77,24.19±2.10),especially 6 hours after liver reperfusion(P0.01).Conclusion The donor liver ischemia and reperfusion injury can promote hepatocytes apoptosis.The effect may be related to the high expression of Bcl-2 gene and the low expression of FasL after reperfusion injury in rat orthotopic liver.