Protective effect of MESNA (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

PURPOSE: Reoxygenation of ischemic tissue generates various reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), which have a deleterious effect on various cellular functions. We evaluated the possible protective effect of 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (MESNA) on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
METHODS: Wistar albino rats were subjected to 45-min hepatic ischemia, followed by 60-min reperfusion. 2-Mercaptoethane sulfonate, 150 mg/kg, or saline was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice, 15 min before ischemia and immediately before reperfusioin. We measured serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels to assess liver function. Liver tissue samples were taken to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an end-product of lipid peroxidation; glutathione (GSH), a key antioxidant; and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, as an indirect index of neutrophil infiltration. We also measured hepatic collagen content, as a fibrosis marker.
RESULTS: Plasma ALT and AST levels were higher in the I/R group than in the control group, but this increase was significantly decreased by MESNA treatment. Hepatic GSH levels, which were significantly depressed by I/R, increased back to the control levels in the MESNA-treated I/R group. Increases in tissue MDA levels and MPO activity caused by I/R injury decreased back to the control levels after MESNA treatment. Similarly, the increased hepatic collagen content in the I/R group decreased to the level of the control group after MESNA treatment.
CONCLUSION: The fact that MESNA alleviated I/R-induced injury of the liver and improved hepatic structure and function suggests that its antioxidant and oxidant scavenging properties may be of therapeutic value in protecting the liver against oxidative injury caused by I/R.