Effect of superoxide dismutase on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat: a biochemical monitoring.

Oxygen free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of postischemic liver injury. High-dose superoxide dismutase (SOD), a radical scavenging enzyme, has been investigated in a rat model of liver ischemia reperfusion by biochemical monitoring. Blood vessels to the median and left lobe were clamped for 1 h and then reperfusion was allowed. The indices used were serial venous blood levels of AST, ALT, calcium, and ATP determination in liver tissue. In SOD-treated animals (7,5000 U i.v.) a significant attenuation of the rise in enzyme levels was observed as well as the absence of the decrease in calcium level in the early phase after reperfusion as compared with control rats, and furthermore ATP restoration was significantly increased.