Protective effects of antithrombin III supplementation on warm ischemia and reperfusion injury in rat liver

The effect of antithrombin III (AT III) supplementation on energy status, microcirculation, cytoprotection, and prostacyclin (PGI2) production during and after a period of warm ischemia of the rat liver was investigated. AT III supplementation (250 units/kg) stimulate prostaglandin I-2 (PGI(2)) production from 1 hour after administration, with maximal production observed at 3 hours. Ischemia was induced by occluding the hepatoduodenal ligament for 30 minutes, and experiments were continued for 60 minutes after reperfusion. The rats received AT III (250 units/kg IC) 30 minutes before induction of liver ischemia (AT III group). In the AT III group, recovery of the beta-ATP/inorganic phosphate ratio measured by P-31 nuclear magnetic resonance showed significant improvement (p < 0.01), and the recovery of tissue blood flow markedly improved (p < 0.01) compared to the saline-treated group (control group). Leakages of aspartame aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase were mitigated in the AT III group (p < 0.05). Ultrastructural alterations of sinusoidal endothelial cells were markedly reduced in the AT III group. The PGI(2) level at the end of reperfusion was significantly elevated (p < 0.01) in the AT III group compared to the control group. The results of this study indicated that pretreatment with AT III significantly improved the energy status and microcirculation, as well as histologic damage, after liver ischemia and reperfusion. One of the fundamental effects of AT III might be mediated through the production of prostacyclin.