Induction of a 72-kDa heat shock protein and protection against lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in cirrhotic rats

Background and Aim:  A 70-kDa heat shock protein (stress-inducible HSP70, HSP72) has been reported to be a cytoprotectant in a variety of organs. It has been reported that HSP72 protected non-cirrhotic rats against endotoxemia. However, its cytoprotective effect against endotoxemia in cirrhotic rats has not yet been studied. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of HSP72 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhotic rats. Methods:  Liver cirrhosis was produced by an 8-week intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Expression of HSP72 was investigated using western blot analysis. Cirrhotic rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg) with or without hyperthermia (42.5°C, 15 min) preconditioning. Liver injury was assessed biochemically (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine) and histologically. The plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level was determined. Results:  Hyperthermia preconditioning induced a 4-fold increase in HSP72 in the cirrhotic rat liver. Pre-induction of HSP72 prevented LPS-induced liver injury, as evaluated using serum biochemical parameters and histology with reduced TNF-α response. Conclusion:  These findings suggest that pre-induction of HSP72 may provide therapeutic strategies for Gram-negative sepsis-induced liver injury in liver cirrhosis.