Effect of glutathione on nuclear factor kappa B in rabbits with hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury

Objective To investigate the expression of nuclear factor kappaB(NF κB) in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury of rabbits and the protective effect of glutathione.Methods Ninety healthy rabbits were randomly divided into control group(group A),ischemia reperfusion group(group B) and glutathione protection group(group C).The rabbit model of hepatic I/R injury was developed according to Nauta. The expression of NF κB in liver tissue was determined by immunohistochemical staining,and alanine aminotransferase(ALT),methylenedioxyamphetamine(MDA),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF α) levels were assayed at 0,1,3,6 and 12 h after reperfusion,and liver tissue samples were observed with light microscope at 12 h after reperfusion.Results The expression of NF κB and the levels of ALT,MDA,and TNF α increased significantly(P0.01),and necrosis of hepatocytes was visualized in hepatic I/R injury. There was no marked expression in control group.After treatment with glutathione, the abnormal changes of all above parameters were diminished remarkably(P0.01 or P0.05).Conclusion NF κB may be involved in the hepatic I/R injury.Glutathione has preventive effects against hepatic I/R injury by inhibiting the expression of NF κB.