Background
The current study is the first to evaluate the protective effect of everolimus on biochemical and histopathological features with an experimental hepatic ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury model.
Methods
Twenty-four Wistar Albino rats were randomized into four groups: Group 1 (sham group) was subjected to laparotomy. Group 2 (I/R group) was subjected to ischemia for 1 hour and reperfusion for 24 hours without treatment. Group 3 was treated with 1.5 mg/kg/day everolimus perorally for 7 days without performing I/R. Group 4 was treated with 1.5 mg/kg/day everolimus perorally for 7 days followed with performing I/R. Blood samples and liver tissues were obtained to assess serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tissue malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and histopathologic examination.
Results
Serum AST and ALT levels of I/R group were significantly higher than sham group. Serum transaminase levels were significantly decreased after treatment with everolimus (group 4) when compared with I/R group (group 2). TNFα and MDA levels were decreased; however, SOD levels were increased in group 4. The sham group and group 3 showed normal histological findings. Morphologic analysis showed reduced degrees of injury in group 4 than group 2 with regards to cholestasis, sinusoidal dilatation, congestion, hydropic degeneration, and subcapsular necrosis.
Conclusions
This is the first report as regards everolimus attenuates biochemical and histopathological alterations of hepatic I/R injury. Everolimus can be a choice for preventing I/R injury during liver transplantation surgery in the future besides its well-known immunosuppressive property.
