Abstract
The influence of neutrophil elastase on ischemic reperfusion injury and the effect of an elastase inhibitor administered via the portal vein were investigated by using a rat experimental model. One hundred and twenty minutes after warm-ischemia, trans-portal injection of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor was followed by reperfusion for 30 minutes. The treated group showed increased seven-days survival rate and increased local hepatic blood flow than the untreated group. No significant destruction of the liver micro-circulation was detected by electron microscopy in the treated group. In the suprahepatic inferior vena cava, both the activity of neutrophil elastase and TNF were detected at lower levels in the treated group. The ketone body ratio, which shows hepatic viability, was found in the treated group. These results demonstrate the influence of neutrophil elastase on ischemic reperfusion injury and the possibility of improvement of ischemic reperfusion injury when a neutrophil elastase inhibitor is injected.
