Original Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2011; 17(3): 322-328
Published online Jan 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i3.322
Effect of heme oxygenase-1 on renal function in rats with liver cirrhosis
Shi-Bin Guo, Zhi-Jun Duan, Qing Li, Xiao-Yu Sun
Shi-Bin Guo, Zhi-Jun Duan, Qing Li, Xiao-Yu Sun, Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116001, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Guo SB and Duan ZJ designed the experiments; Guo SB performed the experiments, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript; Li Q and Sun XY performed the experiments and collected the data; Duan ZJ revised the manuscript.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30970886; and Science and Technology Project of Dalian, No. 2008E13SF193
Correspondence to: Zhi-Jun Duan, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, Liaoning Province, China. cathydoctor@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-411-83635963 Fax: +86-411-83632383
Received: August 17, 2010
Revised: September 25, 2010
Accepted: October 2, 2010
Published online: January 21, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in pathogenesis of experimental hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).

METHODS: Rats were divided into liver cirrhotic group, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) treatment group, cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) treatment group and sham group. Biliary cirrhosis was established by bile duct ligation in the first three groups. Rats in the ZnPP and CoPP treatment groups received intraperitoneal injection of ZnPP and CoPP, respectively, 24 h before sample collection. Expression of HO-1 mRNA in kidney was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, while protein expression was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe liver cirrhosis and renal structure. Renal artery blood flow, mean arterial pressure and portal vein pressure, 24 h total urinary volume, serum and urine sodium concentrations, and creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) were also measured.

RESULTS: The HO-1 mRNA and protein expression levels in kidney, 24 h total urinary volume, renal artery blood flow, serum and urine sodium concentration and Ccr were lower in cirrhotic group than in sham group (P < 0.05). However, they were significantly lower in ZnPP treatment group than in cirrhotic group and significantly higher in CoPP treatment group than in cirrhotic group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Low HO-1 expression level in kidney is an important factor for experimental HRS.

Keywords: Heme oxygenase-1, Carbon monoxide, Hepatorenal syndrome, Zinc protoporphyrin IX, Cobalt protoporphyrin, Bile duct ligation, Biliary cirrhosis