Liver and lung late alterations following hepatic reperfusion associated to ischemic preconditioning or N‐acetylcysteine

This study aimed the effect of n‐acetylcysteine or ischemic preconditioning in hepatic and pulmonary damage after liver ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Twenty‐four male Wistar‐EPM rats were assigned into four groups: (IR) Hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion; (IPC) IPC achieved before hepatic ischemia; (NAC) Animals received NAC pretreatment; and Sham operated group. After 24 h of hepatic reperfusion, blood, liver, and pulmonary samples were evaluated. Nonparametric tests were used (P ≤ 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase levels were similar among experimental groups. Lower alanine aminotrasnferase levels were observed in sham group (P = 0.04). IPC and NAC groups prevented from necrosis (P = 0.027), apoptosis (P = 0.003), and microvesicular steatosis (P = 0.0007), but not from neutrophil infiltration in liver tissue. IPC and NAC treatment reduced alveolar septal edema (P = 0.014), but did not prevent from neutrophil infiltration or vascular congestion. In conclusion, IPC and NAC attenuated hepatic and pulmonary damage after hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury.