Effects of heme oxygenase-1 mediated by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 on intestinal Ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mediated by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuiy in tats. Methods Eighteen male SD rats aged 7-9 weeks weighing 210-260 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (re = 6 each): sham operation group (group S) , I/R group and PEP-1/HO-1 + I/R group (group HO) . To establish a model of intestinal I/R injury, intestines were exteriorized and the superior mesenteric artery was exposed and occluded for 45 min ischemia, and then the clamp was removed for 120 min reperfusion. The PEP-1/HO-1 fusion protein 0.5 mg was injected via the left iliac vein 30 min prior to ischemia in group HO. The superior mesenteric artery was exposed but not occluded in group S. At the end of reperfusion, the rats were sacrificed and intestinal tissues obtained to determine the intestinal wet/ dry ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and HO-1, and HO-1 protein expression. The histological changes in the intestinal mucosa were examined and the injuiy was scored. Results Compared with group S, the intestinal wet/dry ratio, MDA level, HO-1 activity, HO-1 protein expression and injury score were significantly increased, while the SOD activity was significantly decreased in groups I/R and HO ( P ＜ 0.05) . Compared with group I/R, the intestinal wet/dry ratio, MDA level and injury score were significantly decreased, while the SOD activity, HO-1 activity and HO-1 protein expression increased in group HO ( P ＜ 0.05) . The pathologic changes were significantly attenuated in group HO compared with group I/R.Conclusion HO-1 protein can be successfully delivered into intestinal tissues by PEP-1 and has protective effects against intestinal I/R injury. Key words: Heme Oxygenase-1;  Intestine, small;  Reperfusion injury;  Cell penetrating peptide