Protective roles of puerarin and Danshensu on acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats

Ischemic heart diseases have been the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries over the past decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of the complex preparation (called Shenge), made of puerarin (isolated from Pueraria lobata Ohwi., also called Kudzu) and Danshensu (isolated from the Chinese herb, Salvia miltiorrhiza), on acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats and its underlying mechanisms. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded to induce myocardial ischemia in the hearts of SD rats. Shenge was injected into the tail vein 15 min after occlusion at doses of 0, 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg body wt. ST elevation was then measured at 60, 120, and 240 min after Shenge administration. The ischemic size, serum levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and ST elevation were measured after the rats were sacrificed. Shenge decreased ST elevation induced by acute myocardial ischemia, reduced ischemic size, serum levels of CK-MB, LDH and MDA, and increased serum activity of SOD in a dose-dependent manner. The combined use of puerarin and Danshensu at a ratio of 1:1 showed the most effective activity. In conclusion, Shenge exerts significant cardioprotective effects against acute ischemic myocardial injury in rats, likely through its antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxidation properties, and thus may be an effective and promising medicine for both prophylaxis and treatment of ischemic heart disease.

Taurine Protects Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rabbit Livers

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is of major clinical relevance during liver transplantation. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of taurine to protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury was investigated in rabbit livers. We demonstrated that intravenous injection of taurine attenuated liver dysfunction as evidenced by reductions in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase. The recovery of morphological and ultrastructural changes in the liver was also promoted by taurine. The mechanism of the protective effect of taurine seems at least to rely on antioxidation, since the lipoperoxides contents in liver tissues were significantly reduced among taurine-treated rabbits. These results suggest that taurine is a potent useful reagent to protect the rabbit liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Analysis of corneal inflammation induced by cauterisation in CCR2 and MCP-1 knockout mice

AIM

To elucidate the role of CCR2/MCP-1 in corneal inflammation.

METHODS

A cauterisation induced corneal inflammation model was used. The corneas were cauterised with silver nitrate in CCR2 knockout (KO) mice, MCP-1 KO mice, and control mice. Clinical signs such as corneal oedema and opacity were examined 96 hours after cauterisation and the phenotypes of the cells infiltrating the cornea were analysed by flow cytometry. Corneal inflammation in neutrophil depleted mice was also analysed.

RESULTS

After cauterisation both CCR2 KO and MCP-1 KO mice showed the same levels of corneal oedema and opacity as control mice. Flow cytometry revealed that in control mice most of the infiltrating cells were neutrophils and macrophages, whereas in both CCR2 KO mice and MCP-1 KO mice, the number of macrophages infiltrating the cornea were markedly reduced. However, prominent infiltrates of neutrophils were still observed in the cornea in CCR2 KO mice and MCP-1 KO mice. The depletion of neutrophils significantly reduced the oedema and opacity induced in the cornea by cauterisation.

CONCLUSION

The CCR2 and MCP-1 molecules are not essential for cauterisation induced corneal inflammation. Neutrophils, rather than migrated macrophages, are the final effector cells involved in inducing inflammation in this model.

TSPY is a cancer testis antigen expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma

In search for genes associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by cDNA microarray, we found that the transcription of TSPY, ‘testis-specific protein Y-encoded’, was upregulated in HCC. Investigation of a broad spectrum of normal and malignant tissues by RT–PCR revealed the TSPY transcript selectively expressed in normal testis, different histological types of human neoplastic tissues, and tumour cell lines. The expression of TSPY in cancer cells was further confirmed by in situ hybridisation. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy analysis showed that TSPY was localised mainly in the cytoplasm of transiently transfected cells. Testis-specific protein Y-encoded was detected in 50% (16 of 32) of well- and moderately differentiated HCC patients, in 16% (four of 25) of poorly differentiated HCC patients, and in 5% (one of 19) of renal cell cancer patients. A serological survey revealed that 6.6% (seven of 106) HCC patients had anti-TSPY antibody response, demonstrating the immunogenicity of TSPY in humans. In conclusion, these data suggest that TSPY is a novel cancer/testis (CT) antigen and may be a potential candidate in vaccine strategy for immunotherapy in HCC patients.

Administration of tolerogenic dendritic cells induced by interleukin-10 prolongs rat splenic allograft survival

The risk and intensity in splenic graft rejection are greater than in other types of transplants, because the spleen is the largest peripheral lymphoid organ and the immunosuppressive drugs administered can cause splenic dysfunction. In this study, we demonstrate that intravenous injection of interleukin-10-treated donor-type dendritic cells into recipient rats prolongs the survival of splenic allografts. Although the mechanisms are not clear, the induction of tolerance to grafted spleens seems to rely mainly on blockage of expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86, by interleukin-10, leading to enhanced apoptosis of allospecific T cells by immature and tolerogenic dendritic cells. Administration of tolerogenic cells induced by interleukin-10 may thus represent a useful approach for protection of splenic allografts. Further study is required to investigate the operative pathways and to optimize the strategy targeting dendritic cells to induce tolerance in splenic allografts.

Effects of fluvoxamine on levels of dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites in the hippocampus elicited by isolation housing and novelty stress in adult rats

The authors investigated the effects of fluvoxamine on neurochemical changes in the hippocampus elicited by isolation housing and novelty stress. Male F344 rats (11 w) were housed one per cage for four weeks. On each day of the last week (7 days) they were s.c. injected with fluvoxamine (20 mg/kg), and then subjected to novelty stress. Isolation housing significantly increased dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels, whereas fluvoxamine significantly decreased them. Isolation housing significantly increased the DOPAC/DA ratio. Fluvoxamine significantly decreased the DA level, and partially restored the DOPAC and 5-HIAA levels increased by isolation housing.

The characterisation of hyalocytes: the origin, phenotype, and turnover

AIM

To determine the characterisation of hyalocytes: the origin, phenotype, and turnover in the rodent.

METHODS

To characterise the ultrastructure and distribution of hyalocytes, transmission and scanning electron microscopy was performed in rat eyes. Immunophenotypical analysis was performed by either anti-ED1 or ED2 antibodies. To examine the origin of the hyalocytes, the chimeric mice were created and were used to transplant the bone marrow (BM) cells from enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic mice. The turnover of hyalocytes was examined at 0, 4, 6, 7, and 12 months after BM transplantation.

RESULTS

Hyalocytes were distributed especially in the vitreous cortex and had an irregular shape with a spherical granule. Immunophenotypical studies demonstrated that most of the hyalocytes in rat eyes expressed ED2 but not ED1. In the chimeric mice, the hyalocytes were GFP negative right after BM transplantation. Interestingly, more than 60% of hyalocytes were replaced within 4 months and approximately 90% within 7 months after BM transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

The rodent hyalocytes were shown to express tissue macrophage marker, were derived from BM, and totally replaced within 7 months. These data provide the characterisation of hyalocytes in physiological conditions, especially their origin, distribution, and turnover, and may contribute to the better understanding of the pathogenesis of vitreoretinal disease.

Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, suppresses tetrahydrobiopterin levels and dopamine as well as serotonin turnover in the mesoprefrontal system of mice

RATIONALE

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a coenzyme of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), rate-limiting enzymes of monoamine biosynthesis. According to the monoamine hypothesis of depression, antidepressants will restore the function of the brain monoaminergic system, and BH4 concentration.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of fluvoxamine on BH4 levels and dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) turnover in the mesoprefrontal system, incorporating two risk factors of depression, social isolation and acute environmental change.

METHODS

Male ddY mice (6W) were divided into two housing groups, i.e. group-housing (eight animals per cage; 35 days), and isolation-housing (one per cage; 35 days), SC injected with fluvoxamine (20 or 40 mg/kg; days 29-35), and exposed to 20-min novelty stress (day 35). The levels of BH4, DA, homovanilic acid (HVA), 5-HT, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in the prefrontal cortex and midbrain.

RESULTS

Under the group-housing condition, novelty stress significantly increased BH4 levels in both regions, and the HVA/DA ratio in the midbrain, whereas it did not change any parameters in either region under the isolation-housing condition. In the prefrontal cortex, fluvoxamine significantly decreased the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio under the group-housing condition, and BH4 levels and the HVA/DA ratio under the isolation-housing condition. In the midbrain, fluvoxamine significantly decreased all parameters, except for an increasing in the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio under the isolation-housing condition.

CONCLUSION

Isolation-housing suppressed the increase of BH4 levels and DA turnover elicited by novelty stress. Fluvoxamine suppressed BH4 levels, and DA and 5-HT turnover. Fluvoxamine may have altered DA turnover by suppressing BH4 levels.

Volumetric estimation of functional brain regions in small children using spatially filtered magnetoencephalography: differentiating thumb from middle finger

It is difficult to localize the somatosensory cortex in children under 6 years using magnetoencephalography (MEG) with conventional median nerve stimulation. One main reason is that MEG data recorded from small children have poor signal-to-noise ratio due to their small heads and short hands. To find a better approach, this study investigated neuromagnetic activities following finger stimulation using spatially filtered MEG. Four healthy children have been studied with a whole cortex MEG system. Electric stimulation was applied to the thumb and the middle fingers with two Digital Rings. Two trials were recorded for each hand. Focal increases of spectral power were localized using spectrogram and synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM). A clear response at a latency of 21 ms was identified in 3 children (3/4). Dipole modeling localized the somatosensory cortex in 2 children (2/4). SAM successfully localized the somatosensory cortex in 4 children (4/4). Interestingly, the functional region estimated for the thumb was significantly larger than that of the middle finger (p < 0.01). However, it is possible that this effect is due to a larger source amplitude rather than larger source volume. Our results demonstrated that the developed approach could map the somatosensory cortex in children ranging in age from 3 to 6. To our knowledge, this is the first report using non-invasive methods to provide quantitative data indicating that the functional area of the thumb is larger than that of the middle finger in small children.

Automatic localization of epileptic zones using magnetoencephalography

Conventional visual identification of epileptic spike is a challenging problem in the clinical application of magnetoencephalography (MEG). More importantly, the conventional method has problems of detecting other abnormalities such as high frequency oscillation in the human epileptic brain. The objective of this study was to develop a new approach using magnetic spectral analysis and spatial filtering. Twelve patients with seizure have been studied with a whole cortex MEG system. Fifteen epochs were recorded for each patient; each epoch was 120 seconds. Neuromagnetic spectrum was analyzed using a new method called accumulated spectrogram. Focal increases of spectral power were localized using synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM). The MEG results were then compared with clinical findings. Focal increases of spectral power have been identified in all patients (12/12, 100%). The locations of the focal increases of spectral power were in agreement with dipole locations of spikes in 9 patients (9/12, 75%). A comparison between MEG results and clinical findings indicated that SAM revealed focal epileptic activities in two patients when dipole fitting failed. The results suggest that epileptic regions could be quantitatively identified and accurately localized using accumulated spectrogram and SAM. In comparison to visual identification of spike, the new approach is objective and sensitive, and provides the possibility of analyzing much wider frequency bands.

The relative contributions of each subset of ocular infiltrated cells in experimental choroidal neovascularisation

AIM

Choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) is a major cause of blindness in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of infiltrating cells in the development of experimental CNV.

METHODS

CNV was induced in C57BL/6 (B6) mice by laser photocoagulation (PC). After PC, the numbers of each subset of infiltrated cells were analysed by flow cytometry at multiple time points. Each subset (except for macrophages) was depleted by the specific antibodies in vivo. Thereafter, the area of CNV was compared between the control B6 mice and the specific antibody treated mice 7 days after PC. The CNV formation in neutrophil depleted CC chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) knockout mice was also examined to minimise the effects of macrophages.

RESULTS

In the early phase of CNV formation, a large number of neutrophils and macrophages infiltrated to the eyes. Natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocytes were barely detected while no B lymphocytes were detected. The CNV areas did not significantly change compared between the control B6 mice and the specific antibody treated mice. However, the neutrophil depleted CCR2KO mice resulted in a reduction of CNV.

CONCLUSION

Although lymphocytes and NK cells had little effect on CNV formation, neutrophils partially contributed to CNV in the absence of macrophages.

A comparison of the effects of oral inoculation with Rotashield and pentavalent reassortant rotavirus vaccine (WC3-PV) on suckling CB17scid mice

The effects of oral inoculation into infant CB17(scid) mice of two reassortant rotavirus vaccines were compared. The vaccines were Rotashield and WC3-PV, a mixture of five reassortants (G1, G2, G3, G4 and P1; pentavalent reassortant vaccine). Control mice were inoculated with a placebo. At 6 days post-inoculation (p.i.), 8 of 13 (62 %; P<0.005) Rotashield-inoculated mice developed hepatitis and/or bile-duct obstruction compared with none of 11 mice given WC3-PV and none of 14 given placebo. In the Rotashield-inoculated mice, only serotype G3 rhesus rotavirus (RRV) was isolated from multiple sites, including intestine, liver, pancreas, spleen, blood and mesenteric lymph nodes. Recovery of RRV from Rotashield-inoculated mice followed a biphasic pattern. The two peaks of RRV recovery appeared to coincide firstly with replication in the intestine during days 1-3 p.i., and secondly with virus infection of the liver from days 10 to 15 p.i. WC3 reassortants of four different serotypes were detected only at day 1 p.i. in the intestine, liver, pancreas and blood cells from three WC3-PV-inoculated mouse pups. However, WC3-PV did not produce any hepatopathology. Rotashield and WC3-PV appeared to exhibit different biological activity in infant CB17(scid) mouse pups.

Gene transfer of interleukin-4 delays acute rejection of splenic allografts in rats

Spleen transplantation is the treatment of choice for some diseases, such as hemophilia A. However, the risk and intensity of rejection after spleen transplantation is greater and more difficult to control than other types of transplant. In the present study, we demonstrated that perfusion of IL-4 expression plasmids into donor spleens pretransplantation led to overexpression of IL-4 and downregulation of IFN-gamma in situ, associated with delayed acute rejection of the allograft. Gene transfer of IL-4 may represent a potential therapeutic approach to induce tolerance to splenic allografts.

In vivo effects of bifidobacteria and lactoferrin on gut endotoxin concentration and mucosal immunity in Balb/c mice

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of oral supplementation of newborn Balb/c mice with bifidobacteria (B. infantis, B. bifidum) and iron-free apo-lactoferrin (bovine, human) on gut endotoxin concentration and mucosal immunity. Endotoxin concentration was measured in ileocecal filtrates at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days postdelivery by a quantitative limulus amebocyte lysate test. While endotoxin levels in bifidobacteria-fed mice showed a steady rise over time, they were consistently lower than that observed in control animals. Results of lactoferrin supplementation varied depending on the specific time point, but overall by day 28, all treatment groups showed lower intestinal endotoxin concentrations compared to saline fed animals. Neither bifidobacteria nor lactoferrin stimulated an increase in B or T cells, or in cytokine production (IL-6, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma), in Peyer's patches as measured by flow cytometry. Bifidobacteria and lactoferrin were well tolerated as dietary supplements and showed promising potential to reduce gut endotoxin levels.

Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, suppresses tetrahydrobiopterin in the mouse hippocampus

In the present study, we investigated the effects of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on brain tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels. We directly measured levels of BH4 by Tani and Ohno's direct method as well as the serotonin (5-HT) turnover ratio, i.e. 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-HT, after sub-acute s.c. injection of fluvoxamine in the hippocampus of mice. Our animal model incorporated two risk factors of depression, social isolation and acute environmental change. Male ddY mice (6W) were housed in isolation (1 per cage; 35 days), injected with fluvoxamine (20 or 40 mg/kg; days 29-35), and exposed to novelty stress (20 min; day 35). In the stress session, behavioral parameters, i.e. total distance and rearing behavior, were measured. Isolation housing increased both behaviors. Fluvoxamine attenuated rearing behavior, but did not influence total distance. Isolation housing increased BH4 levels. Novelty stress increased BH4 levels in group housing, although it did not change them in isolation housing. Fluvoxamine suppressed BH4 levels. In isolation housing, fluvoxamine increased 5-HT turnover ratios, while it decreased them in group housing. In conclusion, fluvoxamine, housing condition, and novelty stress regulated BH4 levels. Fluvoxamine may have changed behavior and 5-HT turnover by suppressing BH4 levels as well as by inhibiting 5-HT reuptake.

In vitro growth responses of bifidobacteria and enteropathogens to bovine and human lactoferrin

A series of in vitro experiments was performed to test the ability of bovine and human lactoferrin to influence the growth of the gram-positive probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as the gram-negative enteric bacteria, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium. None of the lactoferrin preparations stimulated the growth of the tested strains. However, iron-free apo-lactoferrin (bovine and human) and 66% iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin dramatically slowed the growth of E. coli O157:H7 in single culture experiments, while 98% iron-saturated preparations had no effect. In coculture experiments of B. infantis and E. coli, the iron-limited preparations of lactoferrin also slowed the growth of the latter without inhibiting the bifidobacteria. These results suggest that lactoferrin in iron-limited forms may have the potential to be combined with probiotic bacteria in biotherapeutic products, which could help balance human gut microflora and limit the overgrowth of certain enteric microorganisms.

Immune responses in rhesus rotavirus-challenged BALB/c mice treated with bifidobacteria and prebiotic supplements

Bifidobacterium species (B. bifidum and B. infantis), with or without prebiotic compounds (arabino-galactan, short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide, iso-malto-dextrins), were orally fed to Balb/c pups (n = 192) to evaluate their potential synergistic effects on modulating the course of rhesus rotavirus (RRV) infection, as well as their ability to mediate the associated mucosal and humoral immune responses. Rotavirus-specific IgA and IgG in serum, rotavirus antigen, and specific IgA in feces were measured by ELISA. Mucosal total IgA and IgG levels were determined in Peyer's patches by flow cytometry. Significantly delayed onset (p = 0.001) and early resolution (p < 0.001) of diarrhea were observed in bifidobacteria-treated, RRV-infected mice compared with RRV-infected control mice. Supplementation with prebiotic compounds did not shorten the clinical diarrhea course more than that observed with bifidobacteria treatment alone. Rotavirus-specific IgA in feces was 16-fold elevated on d 5 postinfection in bifidobacteria-treated, RRV-infected mice compared with the RRV-infected alone group. In addition, the level of rotavirus-specific IgA in serum was four-fold higher in bifidobacteria-treated, RRV-infected litters versus mice challenged with RRV alone on 28 and 42 d postinfection. No enhancement of the immune response was found in RRV-infected mice that were treated with both bifidobacteria and prebiotic compounds over those treated with bifidobacteria only. The findings suggest that bifidobacteria may act as an adjuvant by modulating early mucosal and strong humoral rotavirus-specific immune responses, and mitigate severity of rotavirus-induced diarrhea.

Immune responses in rhesus rotavirus-challenged BALB/c mice treated with bifidobacteria and prebiotic supplements

Bifidobacterium species (B. bifidum and B. infantis), with or without prebiotic compounds (arabino-galactan, short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide, iso-malto-dextrins), were orally fed to Balb/c pups (n = 192) to evaluate their potential synergistic effects on modulating the course of rhesus rotavirus (RRV) infection, as well as their ability to mediate the associated mucosal and humoral immune responses. Rotavirus-specific IgA and IgG in serum, rotavirus antigen, and specific IgA in feces were measured by ELISA. Mucosal total IgA and IgG levels were determined in Peyer's patches by flow cytometry. Significantly delayed onset (p = 0.001) and early resolution (p < 0.001) of diarrhea were observed in bifidobacteria-treated, RRV-infected mice compared with RRV-infected control mice. Supplementation with prebiotic compounds did not shorten the clinical diarrhea course more than that observed with bifidobacteria treatment alone. Rotavirus-specific IgA in feces was 16-fold elevated on d 5 postinfection in bifidobacteria-treated, RRV-infected mice compared with the RRV-infected alone group. In addition, the level of rotavirus-specific IgA in serum was four-fold higher in bifidobacteria-treated, RRV-infected litters versus mice challenged with RRV alone on 28 and 42 d postinfection. No enhancement of the immune response was found in RRV-infected mice that were treated with both bifidobacteria and prebiotic compounds over those treated with bifidobacteria only. The findings suggest that bifidobacteria may act as an adjuvant by modulating early mucosal and strong humoral rotavirus-specific immune responses, and mitigate severity of rotavirus-induced diarrhea.

Interferon beta affects retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation via protein kinase C pathways

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to see the effect of interferon beta (IFN-beta) on cell proliferation and the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway.

METHODS

Proliferation of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, with various concentrations of IFN-beta, and with or without 3% fetal calf serum (FCS), was assessed by cell counting. Effects of short (3 h) or prolonged (48 h) exposure of RPE cells to natural human IFN-beta were assessed by (3)H-thymidine uptake. Cytosolic and membranous PKC activity over time in cells treated with IFN-beta and calphostin C was also measured.

RESULTS

IFN-beta inhibited the increased proliferation by FCS in the prolonged-exposure assay. The PKC inhibitor calphostin C also showed an inhibitory effect on RPE cell growth and (3)H-thymidine uptake in the chronic exposure with FCS. Short treatment with IFN-beta had no inhibitory or stimulatory effect on (3)H-thymidine uptake. Cytosolic and membranous PKC activity was strongly upregulated after short IFN-beta exposure but returned to original levels after 1 h. PKC activity was downregulated both in the cytosol and membrane after 24 or 48 h.

CONCLUSION

IFN-beta inhibited RPE proliferation in vitro and the effect is mediated by upregulation of the PKC pathway.

Simultaneous occurrence of beam deflection, holographic recording, and self-interference in one lithium niobate crystal

Coupling of the acousto-optic effect and the photorefractive effect in a magnesium-doped lithium niobate crystal was studied by a holographic recording technique. The process of self-interference that is due to the coupling of these two effects was observed. Our results demonstrate that beam splitting and deflection, holographic recording, and self-interference can occur simultaneously in one crystal.

Modified cold storage of rat livers with self-made HYD solution

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cold preservation effect on rat livers of a modified storage method with self-made HYD solution.

METHODS

The vascular bed of rat livers was expanded with an additional 20 to 40 ml self-made HYD solution/100 g liver. After resection of the liver, the extra HYD solution (expressed as % liver weight) was entrapped via portal infusion by tying off the supra- and infra-hepatic inferior vena cava. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups including control group with conventional storage method, and 20%, 30% and 40% groups according to the amount of extra HYD solution. We compared the preservation effect of the modified storage method with that of the conventional storage method using an isolated perfused rat liver model.

RESULTS

Bile production and all the indices of hepatic microcirculation including portal perfusion pressure, endothelin-1 in the effluent, trypan blue distribution time and histology were significantly superior in the modified method groups compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05). The contents of dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) in the modified method groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Liver enzymes activities in the 30% group were markedly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The preservation effect on rat liver in the 30% group was the best among the modified method groups.

CONCLUSION

The modified cold storage method is effective and may have potential for clinical application in liver preservation.