Changes of heine oxygenase-1 and its product carbon monoxide in acute liver injury

Objective To investigate dynamic changes of heme oxygenase-1 and carbon monoxide in acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrach loride(CCl_4)in rats.Method Male SD rats were randomly allocated to induce acute liver injury by CCl_4 injection.Hepatic HO activity was examined at different time point following CCl_4 treatment.Expression and location of HO-1 protein was determined by western blot and immunohistochemical methods.Serum ALT,AST levels and hepatic SOD,MDA concentrations were also analyzed.Results Administration of CCl_4 to rats caused a marked hepatic damage,characterized by significant elevation of serum ALT,AST levels and liver MDA content combined with a remarkable reduction in liver SOD activity.HO activity was elevated significanfly in a time-dependant manner after CCl_4 injection,while the expression of HO-1 protein increased remarkably from 6 to 36 hours.CO concentration in the liver homogenate of control rats remained very low but was elevated significantly after CCl_4 treatment,which was in accordance with changes of HO-1. Conclusions HO-1 activity and protein expression as well as CO production are higher in rats with acute liver injury induced by CCl_4 than in control group.HO-1/CO system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute hepatic damage and may have potent protective effect against liver injury.