OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis of hepatocytes and the expression of apoptosis-regulating genes during the donor liver ischemia and reperfusion injury in rat orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODSSeventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group and transplantation group. Using Ringer's lactate solution as the perfusing and preserving solution, the grafts were preserved for 4 h before orthotopic transplantation. At 1, 6 and 24 h after the reperfusion, the recipients were sacrificed, and the serum ALT and AST levels were measured; the changes of hepatocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay, and the protein expressions of the apoptosis-regulating genes were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSSerum ALT and AST levels were significantly higher in transplantation group than in the control group after reperfusion. In comparison with the control group, the rats in the transplantation group showed significantly increased apoptosis index in the livers, lowered Bcl-2 levels and increased FasL levels after the transplantation, especially at 6 h after liver reperfusion (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe donor liver ischemia and reperfusion injury can promote hepatocyte apoptosis, which may be related with the high expression of Bcl-2 gene and low expression of FasL after reperfusion injury in rats with orthotopic liver transplantation.