[Common bile duct ligation as a model of hepatopulmonary syndrome and oxidative stress].

BACKGROUND

The hepatopulmonary syndrome is characterized by hepatic dysfunction and presence of dilated pulmonary vessels, with alterations in air diffusion that can be demonstrated in the experimental model of common bile duct ligation.

AIM: To evaluate the oxidative stress in pulmonary tissue of cirrhotic rats with common bile duct ligation.

MATERIAL/

METHODS

We used 12 male Wistar rats weighing between 200-300 g divided in two groups: control (Co = 6) and cirrhotic (Ci = 6). We evaluated aminotransferases, arterial gasometry, lipoperoxidation and chemoluminescence), and antioxidant enzymatic activity with superoxide dismutase. The tissues analyzed for hepatopulmonary syndrome were cirrhotic liver and lung.

RESULTS

The animals with common bile duct ligation showed alterations in the following aminotransferases: aspartate aminotransferase, Co = 105.3 +/- 43/Ci = 500.5 +/- 90.3, alanine aminotransferase, Co = 78.75 +/- 37.7/Ci = 162.75 +/- 35.4, and alkaline phosphatase, Co = 160 +/- 20.45/Ci = 373 +/- 45.44. The lipoperoxidation and the antioxidant response had significant differences between the groups when evaluated in lung (lipoperoxidation) Co = 0.87 +/- 0.3/Ci = 2.01 +/- 0.9, chemoluminescence Co = 16008.41 +/- 1171.45/Ci = 20250.36 +/- 827.82 superoxide dismutase Co = 6.66 +/- 1.34/Ci = 16.06 +/- 2.67.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that in this experimental model of cirrhosis using common bile duct ligation, there is an increase in lipoperoxidation in pulmonary tissue as well as an increase in superoxide dismutase's antioxidant activity, suggesting a pulmonary injury caused by secondary biliary cirrhosis.