Published in:
01-09-2009 | Original Article
Protection of Regenerating Liver After Partial Hepatectomy from Carbon Tetrachloride Hepatotoxicity in Rats: Roles of Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein 2 and ATP Stores
Authors:
Qiong Wu, Dezheng Gong, Nan Tian, Liang Zhu, Lili Guan, Mei Yang, Bo Yuan, Quanfeng Qiu, Huiming Lv, Yuan Zou
Published in:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|
Issue 9/2009
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Abstract
Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), an inner mitochondrial membrane protein, can limit the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protect cells from injuries mediated by oxidative stress. We investigated the effect of upregulation of UCP2 in the regenerating liver 96 h after 68% partial hepatectomy (PH) on the self-protection of regenerating liver against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) poisoning. Hepatotoxicity was induced in vivo by administering CCl4 to rats that had undergone PH. After CCl4 poisoning, the regenerating liver appeared to have less histological damage and lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Lower malondialdehyde production and higher glutathione contents were also observed in the regenerating liver compared with the sham-operated liver after CCl4 poisoning. UCP2 expression was markedly elevated in the regenerating liver, and further increased after CCl4 intoxication. Mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate stores maintained higher levels in the regenerating liver than in sham-operated liver after CCl4 intoxication. The results showed that the regenerating liver exhibited a potent ability to resist CCl4 intoxication, and the autoprotection of regenerating liver might result from reduction of ROS by UCP2 and maintenance of higher ATP stores.