Water Extract of Zizyphus Jujube Attenuates Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Liver Injury in Rats (PP106)

Aims. Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injuries in the liver remain important clinical problems. Free oxygen radicals and nitrosative stress have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis I/R-related liver injury. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of an extract of Zizyphus Jujube (ZJ), which has strong antioxidant effects, on I/R-induced liver injury. Materials and Methods. Ischemia (I) was induced in rat livers by clamping the common hepatic artery and portal vein for 40 minutes, after which flow was restored, and the liver was reperfused for 90 minutes. Blood samples were collected prior to I and after reperfusion to assay blood levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), oxygen radical (square OH), and nitric oxide (NO). In the pharmacologic intervention group a water extract of the fruit of ZJ was administered orally to rats (100 mg/mL for 7 clays) that were subsequently exposed to the I/R liver injury. Results. The data showed that reperfusion (R) of the liver produced increases in blood concentrations of ALT (41.9 +/- 8.2 vs 338.0 +/- 89.6; P < .01; N = 7) and LDH (317 +/- 129 vs 4073 +/- 950; P < .001; N = 7). Oxygen radicals (55.1 +/- 14.3 vs 262.4 +/- 60.3; P < .001; N = 7) and NO (69.3 +/- 14.9 vs 121.6 +/- 27.1; P < .01; N = 7) also increased significantly in this R group. In the ZJ intervention group the liver injury, oxidative stress, and nitrosative stress were all significantly attenuated. Conclusion. These results suggested that I/R-induced liver injury with white blood cell activation, oxidative stress, and nitrosative stress. Pretreatment with an extract of ZJ, which shows high antioxidant effects, significantly attenuated the I/R-induced liver injury.