Effects of radix salvia miltiorrhiz on TNF-α and IL-1 during cold ischemia and reperfusion injury in rat orthotopic liver transplantation.

Objective To investigate the effect of radix salvia miltiorrhiz on TNF-αand IL-1 of the donor liver during orthotopic liver transplantation. Methods 40 SD male rats were randomly divided into the experimental group,the control group and the sham operation group. Perfusing and preserving solution were miltiorrhiz Ringer's lactate solution in the experimental group and Ringer's lactate solution without miltiorrhiz in the control group. All grafts were preserved for 5 hours and then were orthotopically transplanted. Six hours after reperfusion,the recipients were sacrificed,and the serum ALT and AST were measured. Also,changes of oxygen-derived free radical level MDA and expressions of TNF-αand IL-1 in the liver were determined. The histopathological changes were observed under a light microscope. Results Serum ALT and AST levels in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group after reperfusion. MDA,TNF-αand IL-1 levels were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group. Histopathological injury changes were not as serious as in the control group. Conclusion Radix salvia miltiorrhiz may decrease the levels of TNF-αand IL-1 to prevent the liver graft ischemia reperfusion injury in orthotopic liver transplantation in rats.