A single dose of erythropoietin attenuates lipid peroxidation in experimental liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat fetus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was investigate the effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-Hu-EPO) in attenuating the severity of experimental liver ischemic injury in fetal rats.

METHODS: The animals were divided randomly into four groups. In the control group, fetal whole liver tissue was taken immediately after laparotomy from pregnant animals. In the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, tissue samples were taken immediately after I/R injury. In the vehicle group, 0.4 ml of human serum albumin solution and in the treatment group, r-Hu-EPO (5000 IU/kg) in 0.4 ml of human serum albumin solution were given intraperitoneally, 30 min before I/R injury, as a single dose. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were estimated to demonstrate lipid peroxidation.

RESULTS: Lipid peroxidation byproducts increased after I/R injury. Administration of r-Hu-EPO reduced TBARS after I/R injury.

CONCLUSION: Further investigations are needed to understand the mechanism of the hepatoprotective effect of erythropoietin and the clinical importance of ischemic liver injury in the fetus.