Predictive factors in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant causes in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for extrahepatic cholestasis.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnosing benign vs. malignant extrahepatic cholestasis is challenging despite the currently available advanced imaging and endoscopic techniques. This study aims to determine the predictive accuracy of initial biochemical data and bile duct dilatation findings in transabdominal ultrasound (US) to differentiate between benign and malignant disease in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the case records of 814 patients who had undergone endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (in cases of unsuccessful ERCP) for extrahepatic cholestasis. The etiology of biliary obstruction was determined based on ERCP, endoscopic ultrasonography, radiology, cytology, biopsy, and/or clinical follow-up at one year. The patients were divided into benign and malignant groups according to the underlying etiology of biliary obstruction. A complete biochemical profile, transabdominal ultrasonography at presentation, and other demographic data were recorded. RESULTS: Alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.002), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.038), and bilirubin levels were significantly higher in malignant patients. The mean age of patients with malignancy was 69.5 years, vs. 60.6 years in benign patients (p < 0.001). The likelihood of malignancy increased with the increased bilirubin levels (> 200 µmol/l: 30.0% sensitivity, 97.6% specificity). The total bilirubin level predicting malignancy as the best cut-off value was 111 mmol/L with optimum sensitivity and specificity (61.8% and 83.8%, respectively) and area under the curve = 0.756, (p < 0.001). Intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) dilatation was significantly higher in malignant patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A serum bilirubin level of 111 µmol/L or higher and the detection of IHBD dilatation on abdominal ultrasonography are important predictors in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant causes of extrahepatic cholestasis.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of betaine protect against sepsis-induced acute lung injury: CT and histological evidence.

The aim of this research was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of betaine on sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in rats through histopathological examination, radiologic imaging, and biochemical analysis. Eight rats were included in the control group, and no procedure was performed. Feces intraperitoneal procedure (FIP) was performed on 24 rats to create a sepsis-induced ARDS model. These rats were separated into three groups as follows: FIP alone (sepsis group, n=8), FIP + saline (1 mL/kg, placebo group, n=8), and FIP + betaine (500 mg/kg, n=8). Computed tomography (CT) was performed after FIP, and the Hounsfield units (HU) value of the lungs was measured. The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), and lactic acid (LA) were determined, and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) and arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) were measured from an arterial blood sample. Histopathology was used to evaluate lung damage. This study completed all histopathological and biochemical evaluations in 3 months. All evaluated biomarkers were decreased in the FIP + betaine group compared to FIP + saline and FIP alone (all P<0.05). Also, the parenchymal density of the rat lung on CT and histopathological scores were increased in FIP + saline and FIP alone compared to control and these findings were reversed by betaine treatment (all P<0.05). Our study demonstrated that betaine suppressed the inflammation and ameliorated acute lung injury in a rat model of sepsis.

Evaluation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 in the vein wall of males with varicocele.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate potential differences in the presence of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 (TGF-ß1) between the vein walls of patients with varicocele and those of healthy individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised a total of 40 participants, divided into two groups. The control group (Group 1) consisted of 20 patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery, while the varicocele group (Group 2) included 20 patients scheduled for varicocelectomy. The cytoplasmic and nuclear staining patterns of TGF-ß1 immunohistochemistry were assessed in tissue samples under light microscopy, identifying any differences in TGF-ß1 presence between varicocele patient vein walls and normal (saphenous) veins. RESULTS: The varicocele group demonstrated lower nuclear and cytoplasmic TGF-ß1 staining rates compared to the control group. After controlling for the independent factor of age, significantly lower nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was still observed in the varicocele group. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first of its kind to compare TGF-ß1 staining in the vein walls of varicocele patients and healthy individuals. Previous studies focusing on varicose veins reported elevated TGF-ß1 expression. Contrarily, our study observed lower TGF-ß1 expression in varicocele patient veins, marking a unique contribution to the field.

Radiotherapy and high bilirubin may be metformin like effect on lung cancer via possible AMPK pathway modulation.

PURPOSE: Life expectancy of cancer patients determine the regimen of treatment. There is no feasible marker that determines the survival other than the stage of the disease or other patients related factors. Bilirubin can be a revealing marker for these. The effect of bilirubin may be due to the fact that the genetic and biochemical processes of bilirubin also modulate the tumour microenvironment. Radiotherapy and bilirubin can produce an effect similar to metformin via AMPK pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analysis was performed retrospectively in a cohort of 80 patients with a diagnosis of locoregional lung cancer with bilirubin levels in the accepted range. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off points. Pre-treatment serum total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL) levels and tumour volumes in the prognosis of the patients were investigated. RESULTS: The cut-off points for serum TBIL, DBIL and IBIL were 0.565 mg/dL, 0.105 mg/dL and 0.415 mg/dL,respectively. High TBIL 47.5 %, high DBIL and high IBIL were observed in 45 % of the entire patient population. The overall survival was three times longer in the high TBIL group than in the low TBIL group (OS; Hazard Ratio (HR), 0.33; 95% CI 0.16-0.70; p <0.001), locoregional free survival (LRFS; HR, 0.44; 95% CI 0.27-0.71; p <0.001) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS; HR, 0.44; 95% 0.25-0.80; p < 0.001). Similarly, high DBIL and high IBIL levels have been associated with longer OS, LRFS, and DMFS with significant differences. In addition, in the survival analysis of the cohort stratified with gross tumour volume (GTV) 128.5cc and TBIL 0.565 cut-off values; In the comparison of high TBIL and low TBIL groups, a significantly longer OS was observed in the high TBIL group in the patients with a GTV volume greater than128.5cc (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Plasma bilirubin level at the time of diagnosis affects the survival of the patients independent of cancer stage and tumour volume. Possible additive interactions of radiotherapy and bilirubin are discussed with their pathophysiological mechanisms (Tab. 2, Fig. 7, Ref. 26).

Demonstration of the protective effect of ghrelin in the livers of rats with cisplatin toxicity.

Despite the various and newly developed chemotherapeutic agents in recent years, cisplatin is still used very frequently as a chemotherapeutic agent, even though cisplatin has toxic effects on many organs. The aim of our study is to show whether ghrelin reduces the liver toxicity of cisplatin in the rat model. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley albino mature rats were chosen to be utilized in the study. Group 1 rats (n = 7) were taken as the control group, and no medication was given to them. Group 2 rats (n = 7) received 5 mg/kg/day cisplatin and 1 ml/kg/day of 0.9% NaCl, Group 3 rats (n = 7) received 5 mg/kg/day cisplatin and 10 ng/kg/day ghrelin, Group 4 rats (n = 7) received 5 mg/kg/day cisplatin and 20 ng/kg/day ghrelin for 3 days. Glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and liver biopsy results were measured in rats. It was determined that, especially in the high-dose group, the MDA, plasma ALT, and SOD levels increased less in the ghrelin group as compared to the cisplatin group, and the glutathione level decreased slightly with a low dose of ghrelin, while it increased with a higher dose. In histopathological examination, it was determined that the toxic effect of cisplatin on the liver was reduced with a low dose of ghrelin, and its histopathological appearance was similar to normal liver tissue when given a high dose of ghrelin. These findings show that ghrelin, especially in high doses, can be used to reduce the toxic effect of cisplatin.

Effect of fluid resuscitation on acute lung injury in a rat model of sepsis.

AIM: Sepsis is a systemic infection reaction and intravascular volume therapy plays a crucial role in it's treatment. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs in the lungs, the most affected organ. This study aimed to investigate the different effects of fluid therapy on ARDS caused by sepsis. METHOD: To form a sepsis model, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedure were performed on 44 adult rats. Divided into six groups; normal, CLP group, those treated with 40 ml/kg 0.9 % NaCl, 3 % NaCl (hypertonic saline), Ringer Lactate and Hydroxyethyl starch. After 24 hours treatments, histopathological examination of the lungs were done, and the plasma levels of CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 and paO2 were measured. RESULTS: The scores of all histological parameters of the group treated with hypertonic saline were significantly lower than of the other groups (p < 0.001). Likewise, according to the arterial blood gas results, paO2 was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the hypertonic saline group compared to the other groups, and paCO2 was significantly lower (p < 0.01). CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 levels of inflammatory markers were also significantly lower in hypertonic saline groups compared to other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that treatment with hypertonic saline reduces the progression of ARDS in sepsis (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 49).

Protective effect of benfotiamine on methotrexate induced gastric damage in rats.

Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used for treating cancers and inflammatory diseases; it is a potential anti-metabolite and folate antagonist. We investigated potential protective effects of benfotiamine on MTX damage. We used a rat model of MTX induced gastric injury to assess changes in gastric histopathology, oxidative stress and visfatin levels due to MTX treatment. Rats were divided into four groups: an untreated control group, an MTX group treated with a single dose of MTX, a benfotiamine group treated with benfotiamine daily for two weeks, and a benfotiamine + MTX group treated with a single dose of MTX followed by benfotiamine daily for two weeks. Total tissue antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and visfatin levels were measured at the end of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, we investigated both visfatin expression and the histopathology of gastric tissues. The mean visfatin level was lower in the MTX group than in the benfotiamine group. The mean tissue TOS levels were higher in MTX group than in the control, benfotiamine or benfotiamine + MTX groups. Significant gastric gland dilation, and erosion and loss of mucosa were found on the gastric surface in the MTX group compared to the control group. The dilation, erosion and mucosal loss were decreased significantly in the benfotiamine + MTX group compared to the MTX group. Compared to the control group, visfatin immunoreactivity was reduced significantly in the MTX group. Decreased visfatin levels appear to play a role in the mechanism of gastric damage. Benfotiamine may be useful for preventing MTX induced gastric injuries.

Effects of trimetazidine on nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve injury model.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of trimetazidine(TMZ) after end-to-end repair in a peripheral nerve injury model. METHOD: We performed end-to-end primary repair of sciatic nerves in rats and showed TMZ's regenerative effect. For this objective 30 male Sprague Dawley albino rats were used. Surgery+water group, rats were assigned to a placebo group and were given water by oral gavage. Surgery+TMZ group, rats were given trimetazidine by oral gavage. All medications were given for 12 weeks. Motor function test was performed. Afterwards, electromyography (EMG) recording was done. Finally, blood samples were taken, the animals were euthanized andsciatic nerve was removed. RESULTS: The amplitudes of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) increased significantly in the Surgery+TMZ group when compared with the group that have been given Surgery+Water. Nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoexpression in the Schwann cell was significantly increased in the Surgery+TMZ group compared with the Surgery+Water group. Moreover, fibrosis score was reduced in the Surgery+TMZ group compared to the Surgery+Water group.CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we demonstrated the superiority of TMZ on nerve healing in our experimental study which was evaluated with comparative groups (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 31).

Endoscopic treatment of biliary complications after duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis in pediatric liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Studies reporting outcomes of endoscopic treatment methods in children who underwent liver transplantation (LT) is very limited. We present our outcomes, as a high-volume transplant center where endoscopic methods are preferred as the first choice in the treatment of biliary complications in children. METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as the first treatment approach for biliary complications after LT between 2005 and 2017 were included. Clinical data included patient demographics, ERCP indications (stricture or leak), and treatment outcomes, including the need for percutaneous and surgical intervention. RESULTS: ERCP was performed in 49 patients who had a duct-to-duct anastomosis (38 living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), 11 deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT)). The most common biliary complication was stricture. Our endoscopic success rate was 66.7% (18/27) and 75% (6/8) in LDLT and DDLT patients with stricture (p > 0.05), respectively. While our endoscopic success rate was 75% (3/4) in patients with leak alone after LDLT, it was 25% (1/4) in patients with leak and stricture in this group. The endoscopic success rate was 50% in two patients who had leak alone after DDLT. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP should be considered as a preferential treatment option for the management of biliary complications in pediatric liver transplant patients with duct-to-duct anastomosis, as in adults.

Relationship between nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 variants and severity of acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intestinal barrier dysfunction has been implicated in the development of infectious complications of acute pancreatitis. Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization DomainContaining Protein 2 (NOD2) plays an important role in the proper functioning of intestinal defense mechanisms. Here, we investigated the frequency of NOD2 variants in patients with mild and severe acute pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Groups 1, 2 and 3 comprised healthy participants and patients with mild and severe pancreatitis, respectively. Four NOD2 variants and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Three patients (3/32, 9.4%) in the severe pancreatitis group were positive for the p.R702W variant. This variant was negative in other groups. One, three and three patients in the healthy (1/27, 3.7%), mild (3/36, 8.3%) and severe pancreatitis (3/32, 9.4%) groups tested positive for the 1007fs variant, respectively. No significant differences in the frequencies of NOD2 variants were evident among the groups. Serum IL-6, TNF-a and LBP levels were markedly higher in the severe pancreatitis than the healthy and mild pancreatitis groups (all p<0.001). We observed no significant correlation between cytokine levels and NOD2 variants. CONCLUSION: Our results support an association between the presence of the p.R702W variant and severe pancreatitis.

Familial alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency cases that are diagnosed in adulthood.

Alpha 1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a hereditary disorder leading to severe lung and liver diseases worldwide. An accumulation of insoluble heterodimer AAT molecules in hepatocytes is the main cause of liver disorders. The most commonly detected allele worldwide is the PIMM allele, which fulfills the AAT function. The most common missing variant is PiZZ. Serum AAT level is a beneficial but not a reliable determinant for diagnosis. Liver biopsy yields more reliable results. AAT deficiency has no specific treatment. The only treatment modality in children with end stage liver disease is the hepatic transplant. We wanted to present in our article four cases from same family, diagnosed alpha-1 antitrypsindeficiency in adulthood.

The Acute Effect of Humic Acid on Iron Accumulation in Rats.

Free iron leads to the formation of pro-oxidant reactive oxygen species (ROS). Humic acids (HAs) enhance permeability of cellular wall and act as a chelator through electron transferring. This study was designed to test chelator effect of HA on iron as well as its anti-oxidant effect against the iron-induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. The rats used were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): group I (the control group); group II (the HA group), humic acid (562 mg/kg) was given over 10 days by oral gavage; group III (the iron group), iron III hydroxide polymaltose (250 mg/kg) was given over 10 days by intraperitoneal route; and group IV (the HA plus iron group), received the iron (similar to group II) plus humic acid (similar to those in groups II and III) group. Blood and two tissue samples both from liver and heart were obtained for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. Iron deposition, the iron-induced hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity were demonstrated by histopathological and biochemical manner. However, no significant differences were observed in the serum biochemical values and the histopathological results among the iron and the HA plus iron groups in the liver tissue but not in the heart tissue. The protective effects of humic acid against iron-induced cardiotoxicity were shown but not against hepatotoxicity in our study.

The protective effects of apocynin on ionizing radiation-induced intestinal damage in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Radiation colitis typically emerges during radiotherapy of intra-abdominal malignancies. While the underlying mechanism remains unclear, it is considered that free oxygen radicals act like cellular mediators to cause colonic damage. Apocynin (APO) prevents oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death by inhibiting NADPH oxidase, and preventing the formation of free oxygen radicals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of APO, a strong antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, on radiation induced colonic oxidative damage in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group). Group I (control group); Group II (Group RAD) received a single dose of 800 cGy ionizing radiation to the whole abdomen with a linear accelerator (LINAC); Group III (Group APO) received a single dose of 20 mg/kg of APO intraperitoneally for five days; Group IV (Group APO+RAD) received APO for five days before radiation exposure (similar to Group III), (similar to Group II). RESULTS: APO treatment prior to radiation led to protection in the biochemical and histopathological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that APO treatment before radiation improves radiation induced colonic injury in rats, by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Comparison of antioxidant effects of isoflurane and propofol in patients undergoing donor hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The safety of healthy volunteer donors is one of the most important issues in living-donor liver transplantation. Use of the Pringle maneuver during donor hepatectomy can result in liver ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of isoflurane and propofol on IR injury caused by the Pringle maneuver during donor hepatectomy. METHODS: A total of 70 American Society of Anesthesiology I-II donors aged 18-65 years who underwent hepatectomy were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: propofol and isoflurane. Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured before surgery (t0) and after surgery (t1). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic features, anesthesia, and times of surgery between the groups (P > .05). Plasma TAC levels at t0 and t1 were significantly lower in the propofol group than in the isoflurane group (P < .05). OSI at t1 was significantly higher in the propofol group than in the isoflurane group (P < .05). MDA levels were significantly higher in the propofol group than in the isoflurane group at t0 (P < .05). MDA levels level were significantly higher in the isoflurane group than in the propofol group at t1 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol may have protective effects against IR injury caused by the Pringle maneuver during donor hepatectomy in living-donor transplantations. However, the effectiveness of propofol for clinical use needs to be investigated further.

Effect of alkalinisation of lignocaine for propofol injection pain: a prospective, randomised, double-blind study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether pretreatment with alkalinised lignocaine reduced the incidence and severity of pain during propofol injection. This prospective, randomised, double-blind study included 300 adult, American Society of Anesthesiologists physcial status I to II patients undergoing elective surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group L received 0.05 ml/kg of 1% lignocaine (5 ml normal saline + 5 ml 2% lignocaine), Group A received 0.05 ml/kg alkalinised lignocaine (5 ml 2% lignocaine + 1 ml 8.4% NaHCO3 + 4 ml normal saline), and Group S, the control group, was given the same amount of normal saline (NaCl 0.9%). All drugs were given as a bolus over 20 seconds before propofol administration. A blinded researcher assessed the patient's pain level using a four-point scale. The pain score [median (range)] and the incidence of pain in Group A (6%) was significantly lower than in groups L (41%) and S (88%, P <0.001). In addition, the pain score and the incidence of pain were found to be significantly different between Group L and Group S (P <0.001). The incidence of moderate and severe pain were greater in Group S when compared with groups A and L (P <0.001). Intravenous pretreatment with alkalinised lignocaine appears to be effective in reducing the pain during propofol injection.

Effects of preoperative iron deficiency on transfusion requirements in liver transplantation recipients: a prospective observational study.

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of preoperative iron deficiency in adult living donor liver transplantation patients and to investigate its relationship with the need for intraoperative transfusion. Between September 1, 2011, and June 1, 2012, 103 patients scheduled for liver transplantation were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to baseline iron status: an iron-deficient group and a non deficient (normal iron profile) group. Iron deficiency was assessed on the basis of several parameters, including transferrin saturation, levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, C-reactive protein, and peripheral blood smear. Preoperative iron deficiency was diagnosed in 62 patients. Preoperative iron deficiency was associated with low preoperative hemoglobin levels (P = .01) and a high rate of intraoperative transfusion (P < .0001). Preoperative iron deficiency is prognostic factor for predicting intraoperative transfusion requirements. These findings have important implications for transfusion practices for liver transplant recipients.

Effect of preoperative iron deficiency in liver transplant recipients on length of intensive care unit stay.

Liver transplant (LT) recipients often display iron deficiency preoperatively, which significantly increases the quantity of blood that needs to be transfused intraoperatively, A risk factor for a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether there was a clinically significant association between iron deficiency and the length of ICU stay, among 153 patients scheduled for OLT from September 2011 to June 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their baseline iron status: iron- deficient (ID) and non-ID (normal iron profile) cohorts. Iron deficiency was assessed on the basis of several parameters; transferrin saturation as well as serum iron, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, and C-reactive protein levels. We retrospectively analyzed the data regarding demographic and clinical features, preoperative laboratory values, intraoperative transfusions, and length of ICU stay. Patient demographic features and preoperative values were similar between the groups. Preoperative iron deficiency, which was diagnosed in 72 patients (58.6%), was associated with a greater intraoperative use of fresh frozen plasma and red blood cell transfusions (P = .0001). The median length of ICU stay after LT was longer among the ID versus the non-ID group (5 and 3 days per patient, respectively; P = .0001). Therefore, we have suggested that preoperative iron deficiency may be a prognostic factor for the length of ICU stay after LT.

Effects of oral ß- glucan on liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

AIM: Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury (IRI) in liver transplant patients may negatively affect graft function. Although ß-glucan protects kidneys against IRI, its effect on the liver is unknown. This study sought to investigate ß-glucan effects on oxidative damage to the liver after IRI in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups n = 8 in each group: sham, IR, ß-glucan and IR + ß-glucan. ß-Glucan (50 mg.kg(-1) . day(-1)) was orally administered for 10 days to rats in the ß-glucan and IR + ß-glucan groups. The rats in the IR and IR + ß-glucan groups were subjected to ischemia and reperfusion (IR) for 60 minutes each. All rats were killed on day 11 to evaluate histological changes as well as tissue levels of oxidants and antioxidants. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in the IR than the sham group (P = .001). MDA level was significantly higher in the IR group than in the IR + ß-glucan group (P = .001). The levels of tissue antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione-peroxidase [GPx], and catalase [CAT]) were significantly lower in the IR group than in the sham group (P < .05). SOD and GPx levels did not differ significantly between the IR and IR + ß-glucan groups. CAT activity was significantly higher in the IR than the IR + ß-glucan group (P = .001). Histological tissue damage was reduced in the IR + ß-glucan than the IR group. CONCLUSION: Liver IRI is an inevitable problem during liver surgery. Our results suggested that ß-glucan pretreatment suppressed oxidative stress and increased antioxidant levels in an rat model of liver IRI.