OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 8 (IL-8) in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury and the protective effect of hydrophilic Salvia monomer MP-1 on them.

METHODSHypothermic hypoxia reoxygenation model of human liver sinusoidal endothelial cell line and ischemia/reperfusion model of isolated rat liver were used. TNF alpha and IL-8 were measured with ELISA kits. Cell injury was excluded by trypan blue stain, sinusoidal endothelial cell function was assessed by hyaluronic acid uptake rate through RIA. Liver function was assayed by alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release as well as output of bile flow.

RESULTSDuring hypoxia reoxygenation, sinusoidal endothelial cell injury, TNF alpha and IL-8 increased significantly in time-dependent manner, while sinusoidal cell function decreased. Cell injury was positively correlated to the released amount of TNF alpha (r = 0.949, P < 0.05) and IL-8 (r = 0.892, P < 0.05), respectively, the mortality could be reduced within 6 hrs by adding anti-TNF alpha monoclonal antibody and increased by treating with recombinant human TNF alpha. Function of isolated rat liver lowered alone the increasing of low temperature ischemia/reperfusion time. MP-1 could markedly lower the mortality of endothelial cells and TNF alpha and IL-8 release, it also could alleviate ischemia/reperfusion injury to isolated rat liver.

CONCLUSIONTNF alpha participated in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury directly, and MP-1 might alleviate the injury through inhibiting TNF alpha and IL-8.