Abstract:

[Abstract]   Objective   To observe changes of the pancreas after limb ischemia reperfusion, and the protective effect
of taurine (Tau) postconditioning.  Methods   Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (Control), limb ischemia reperfusion (LIR) group, and taurine postconditioning (Tau) group (n=8for each group). Plasma contents of xanthine oxidase (XOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), pancreatic amylase (AMS), pancreatic lipase (LPS) and trypsin were detected in three groups. Morphological changes of the pancreas were observed using optical microscopy. The expressions of anti-C/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) in pancreas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay. TUNEL staining was performed to estimate the apoptosis of pancreatic cells.   Results   Compared with the control group and Tau group, plasma contents of MDA, XOD, ROS, AMS, LPS, and trypsin were significantly increased in LIR group, but the level of SOD was significantly lower in LIR group (P＜0.05). HE staining showed that acinar structure was disrupted , pancreatic lobule gap widened, stromal vascular dilatation and congestion were observed in LIR group. The perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells appeared, islet cells were damaged with irregular islet. The immunohistochemical analysis showed the increased expression of CHOP in pancreas in LIR group than that of Tau group. And the pancreatic apoptosis was enhanced in LIR group detected by TUNEL staining.  Conclusion   Taurine postconditioning can ameliorate pancreatic injury following limb ischemia reperfusion, which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress, down- regulation of CHOP expression, thereby reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress- induced apoptosis.

Key words: reperfusion injury, pancreas, TAURINE, apoptosis, transcription factor CHOP, postconditioning