Expression of hepatocyte apoptosis controlling gene after orthotopic liver transplantation in rats

Objective To investigate the apoptosis of hepatocytes and its controlling gene Bcl-2 and FasLexpression after the donor liver reperfusion in rat orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT).Methods Seventy-two SD male rats were randomly divided in to shamoperation and transplantation group.Perfusing and preserving solution was Ringer's lactate solution.Grafts were preserved for 4 hours then transplanted orthotopically.One,six and 24 hours after reperfusion,the recipients were sacrificed.The serumalanine amino transferase(ALT),a spira teaminotran sferase(AST)were measured and the changes of hepa to cyteapoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferased UT Pnick end labeling(TUNEL).The controlling apoptosis gene Bcl-2 and FasLprote in expression were measured with flowcy tometer.Results After reperfusion serum ALT,AST levels in transplantation group were significantly higher than those in control group.In com parison with control group,the apoptosis index of liver at each time point in transplantation group were significantly increased (34.66±5.04,42.52±6.13,27.66±51.03),while the Bcl-2 levels were lower(18.36±2.83,12.59±1.84,21.93±2.28)and the FasLlevels were higher(22.62±1.88,26.93±1.77,24.19±2.10),especially 6 hours after liver reperfusion(P<0.01).Conclusion The donor liver ischemia and reperfusion injury can promote hepatocytes apoptosis.The effect may berelated to the high expression of Bcl-2 gene and the low expression of FasLafter reperfusion injury in rat orthotopic liver.