Mechanism of mitochondria-mediated activation of apoptotic enzyme caspase-3 during early phase of liver regeneration in rats / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the activation mechanism of hepatic apoptosis-related enzyme caspase-3 during the early phase of liver regeneration in rats from the perspective of mitochondria-mediated endogenous signal pathway. Methods: Thirty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups model group [70% partial hepatectomy (PH), n = 15], sham-operated group (n=15), and control group (n=5). The former 2 groups were further divided into 3 subgroups according to time after operation (3 h, 6 h, and 24 h after operation, 5 animals in each group). The animals in all groups were sacrificed and the liver homogenates were prepared. Using the fluorescence method, we determined the activities of hepatic caspase-3 and caspase-9 at 3 different time points after operation. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the content of NO were examined by enzyme immunoassay and nitrate reductase assay, respectively. Results: The activities of hepatic caspase-3 and 9 both increased significantly compared with those of sham-operated group (P<0.01) at 3 h and 6 h after operation; the level of GSH-Px was significantly decreased and the content of NO was significantly increased compared with those of the sham-operated group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Hepatic tissue is under oxidative stress during the early phase of liver regeneration, and the mitochondria-mediated endogenous signal pathway is involved in the activation of caspase-3.