Aim: To detect the changes of inducible heme oxygenase (HO-1) expression in liver following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of hindlimbs and to elucidate their significance.
Methods: I/R was established using the occlusion of the femoral arteries for 4h and reopening for 2-24 h in rats. The expression of HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein in liver tissue were detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical technique, respectively. The observation of pathologic changes of liver was made following the inhibition of HO-1 by zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP).
Results: Compared with control groups, the relative expression level of HO-1 mRNA significantly increased in I/R group. There were more HO-1 positive hepatocytes in I/R group than control groups. The pathologic changes of liver tissue became more severe in I/R + ZnPP group.
Conclusion: The expressions of HO-1 mRNA and protein in liver tissue are significantly upregulated, induction of HO-1 is involved in protection for hepatocytes during the I/R of hindlimbs.