The expression and significance of STAT1 during the periods of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Objective To investigate the expression of STAT1 and Caspase-3 during the periods of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) and the effect of salvia miltiorrhiza (SM). Methods Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Normal group, sham operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group,SM-pretreated group. The rat model of LIRI was established, and the expression of STAT1 and Caspase-3 was detected by immunohistechemistry at 45 min after ischemia and 0,3,12,24 and 72 h after reperfusion. Results The expression of STAT1 and Caspase-3 was weak in normal and sham operated groups. The expression of STAT1 was increased after hepatic ischemia (PU = 10.29 ± 0.92), reaching the peak at 12-24 h after reperfusion (PU = 38.73 ± 1.59-38.90 ± 2.29) ,and the expression of Caspase-3 was aslo increased after hepatic ischemia (PU = 8.18 ± 0.95), reaching the peak at 24 h after reperfusion (PU = 38.06 ± 2.85). In SM-pretreated group, the expression level of STATI was reduced as compared with ischemia-reperfusion group at the same periods (P ＜0. 05), and that of Caspase-3 was also reduced as compared with ischemia-reperfusion group at the same periods except 72 h (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The STAT1 is activated in LIRI. SM may protect liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing the ex-pression of STAT1. Key words: Liver; STAT1 ; Caspase-3 ; Reperfusion injury; Salvia mihiorrhiza