Xanthine oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species activate nuclear factor kappa B during hepatic ischemia in rats.

The present study was carried out to elucidate the relationship between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an activation of nuclear factor (NF) kappa B in a hepatic ischemia-reperfusion model. During the ischemic period, the contents of xanthine oxidase (XOD) metabolites and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were significantly increased, and NF-kappa B was activated in the liver of rats. The activation of NF-kappa B was inhibited by pretreatment of allopurinol (10-100 mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, this suggests that the XOD-derived ROS may activate NF-kappa B during ischemia.