INVOLVEMENT OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN ERYTHROPOIETIN PROTECTIVE EFFECT DURING HEPATIC ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION SYNDROME

Introduction. Development of new methods for hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) injuries correction is an actual problem of modern surgery and transplantation. Purpose. To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide in erythropoietin protective effect during HIR in rats. Material and methods. 40 rats were divided into 4 groups: the 1st one (n=10) was the control group; in the 2nd group (n=10) hepatic ischemia (30 min, the Pringle manoeuvre) and reperfusion (120 min) were modeled; in the 3rd group (n=10) erythropoietin (INTAS; 1,000 IU/kg) was administered 30 min before HIR; in the 4th group (n=10) the rats were handled like in the 3rd group, but an inhibitor of cystathionine-γ-lyase, DL-propargylglycine, (Sigma, 50 mg/kg) was added 1hr before HIR. The parameters of pro/antioxidant balance (conjugated diens, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, catalase activity, etc.) were detected in the blood and liver at the end of experiments. Results. It was found that erythropoietin significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxidation products, improved parameters of antioxidant defense system in blood and liver at the end of reperfusion. Inhibition of endogenous hydrogen sulfide synthesis in the liver by DL-propargylglycine significantly reduced this protective effect of erythropoietin. Conclusion. The protective effect of erythropoietin during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion is largely mediated by gasotransmitter properties of hydrogen sulfide.