Changes in the tissue and plasma lipid peroxides, and significance of mesurment of lipid peroxides following hepatic inchemia and reperfusion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the tissue and plasma lipid peroxides, and to determine their significance following hepatic ischemia and reperfusion. Using CL-HPLC assay, we quantified phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH), which is a primary peroxidative product of the most important functional lipid in the hepatocellular membrane. This experimental study divided subjects into three groups according to the duration of hepatic ischemia induced as follows : 10, 20, and 30 minutes by occlusion of the hepatic inflow of the hepatic artery and portal vein. Hepatic energy charge and arterial ketone body ratio decreased significantly as the duration of ischemia increased, and recoverd after reperfusion, alanine aminotransferase and hepatic PCOOH levels showed marked increases, and hepatic glutathione levels showed decreases following reperfusion. Also, a close correlation between the PCOOH levels in peripheral vein and liver was observed as well as in peripheral vein and hepatic vein. These results suggest that membrane lipid peroxidation induced the production of oxidative radical formation and is involved in the pathogenesis of the reperfusion injury, and furthermore, that the plasma PCOOH levels are a useful index, which can indicate the reperfusion injury process directly and sensitively.