Introduction: Ischemia-reperfusion injury; may cause hepatic dysfunction and biliary tract complications in the postoperative period in major liver surgeries and liver transplantation. During the reperfusion phase, the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue causes damage to the liver tissue at the cellular level.
Piracetam; It is a gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) derivative that improves cognitive functions by acting on the cell membrane. Piracetam plays an important role in cell damage repair by increasing microcirculation and cell membrane stability in the tissue and preventing the formation of free oxygen radicals.
Methods: In our experimental study, 21 rats were used in 3 groups, 7 rats in each. The groups were named Control group (CG), ischemia reperfusion group (IG), Piracetam group (PG). After laparotomy in CG, blood samples and liver tissue samples were taken without any additional procedure. In IG, the hepatic artery and portal vein were clamped for 45 minutes, causing ischemia in the liver, and then the clamps were opened and reperfusion was achieved, and it was waited for 60 minutes. Tissue samples were then taken from blood and liver. In PG, 200 mg/kg piracetam was injected intraperitoneally 60 minutes before the operation, and the same procedures were applied at the end of the 60th minute as in the IG group.
Biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on blood and tissue samples taken from rats.
Results: As a result of biochemical and histopathological evaluations made in blood and tissues, it was determined that total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP were significantly lower in the PG group. Tissue Caspase 3, malonaldehyde levels were found to be significantly lower in the PG group, and reduced glutathione levels were higher in the PG group. In the pathological examination, while the necroinflammatory focus was found to be significantly less in the PG group. Although not statistically significant in other pathological parameters, piracetam was shown to reduce ischemia reperfusion injury.
Conclusion: Regards to piracetam administered intravenously before liver surgery, the damage to the liver in ischemia-reperfusion situations can be reduced. Thus, liver dysfunction and biliary tract complications can also be reduced.