Effect of oleanolic acid on oxygen free radicals in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of oleanolic acid(OA)on oxygen free radicals in liver ischemia-reperfusion(IR)injury in rats.Methods One hundred and twenty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of sham operation(SH),IR,sodium carboxymethycellulose(CMC-Na),and oleanolic acid(OA).Rats I-R model was established by segmental(70%)hepatic ischemia for 60 min,followed by reperfusion for different times.The animals were sacrificed at 0,3,6 or 12 h after reperfusion,respectively.The activity of serum ALT,content of malondialdehyde(MDA),activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and content of glutathione(GSH)were measured.Results At 3 h,6 h or 12 h after reperfusion,the activity of ALT and the content of MDA were significantly higher in group IR,CMC-Na and OA than those in group SH and the levels of SOD and GSH were lower in group IR,CMC-Na and OA than those in group SH(P0.05).The activity of ALT and the content of MDA were significantly lower but SOD and GSH were higher in group OA than those in group IR and CMC-Na at 3 h,6 h,or 12 after reperfusion(P0.05).Conclusion OA can protect the liver from IR injury,which is related to the inhibition of production and release of oxygen free radicals.