Ischämietoleranz der Rattenleber durch alpha-Liponsäure

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a major clinical problem in liver resection and transplantation. The present work investigated the potential of α-lipoic-acid (LA), a well established drug in the therapy of diabetes, to reduce IRI of the rat liver in vivo. Two groups were chosen: one group with injection of 500 μmol α-lipoic acid 15 min before clamping of the left and median liver lobes for 90 min, the other with injection of NaCl 0,9%. Reperfusion was carried out for 1 h and 7 days. The results showed that a-lipoic acid reduced IRI. LDH, α-GST and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased in the LA-group after 1 h reperfusion indicating less cell death during reperfusion. Caspase 3 activity was significantly decreased with LA. After 1 h reperfusion the bile flow was decreased in both groups about 50%. After 7 days reperfusion bile flow in lipoic acid group was 107% and in the control only 59%. Microscopy of the ischemic lobes showed IRI with cytoplasmatic vacuols after 1 h reperfusion without LA. With LA the ischemic lobes were not injured. α-lipoic acid might represent a new pharmacological approach in attenuating the early and late IRI of the liver. It is safe, easy and fast to applicate and therefore suitable in liver resection and transplantation.