The role of ischemic preconditioning in the expression of apoptosis-related genes in a rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

• Published in: Acta cirúrgica brasileira Vol. 34; no. 5
• Main Authors: Miranda, Celina Teresa Castelo Branco Couto de, Fagundes, Djalma José, Miranda, Edinaldo de, Simões, Ricardo Santos, Carbonel, Adriana Aparecida Ferraz, Florencio-Silva, Rinaldo, Taha, Murched Omar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Cirurgia 2019
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Ischemic Preconditioning; Mesenteric Ischemia; Rats; Reperfusion
• ISSN: 0102-8650; 1678-2674
• DOI: 10.1590/s0102-865020190050000001

Abstract Purpose: To analyze the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in the expression of apoptosis-related genes in rat small intestine subjected to ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: Thirty anesthetized rats underwent laparotomy and were drive into five groups: control (CG); ischemia (IG); ischemia and reperfusion (IRG); IPC and ischemia (IG+IPC); IPC and ischemia and reperfusion (I/RG+IPC). Intestinal ischemia was performed by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 60 minutes, whereas reperfusion lasted for 120 minutes. IPC was carried out by one cycle of 5 minutes of ischemia followed by 10 minutes of reperfusion prior to the prolonged 60-minutes-ischemia and 120-minutes-reperfusion. Thereafter, the rats were euthanized and samples of small intestine were processed for histology and gene expression. Results: Histology of myenteric plexus showed a higher presence of neurons presenting pyknotic nuclei and condensed chromatin in the IG and IRG. IG+IPC and I/RG+IPC groups exhibited neurons with preserved volume and nuclei, along with significant up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2l1 and down-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes. Moreover, Bax/Bcl2 ratio was lower in the groups subjected to IPC, indicating a protective effect of IPC against apoptosis. Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning protect rat small intestine against ischemia/reperfusion injury, reducing morphologic lesions and apoptosis.