Are Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists Useful Strategies in Steatotic and Nonsteatotic Livers in Conditions of Partial Hepatectomy under Ischemia-Reperfusion?

Abstract

We examined whether angiotensin (Ang) II receptor antagonists could be considered a therapeutic strategy in steatotic and non-steatotic livers in conditions of partial hepatectomy under isch-emia-reperfusion (I/R), which is commonly applied in clinical prac-tice to reduce blood loss. We report that Ang II type I receptor (AT1R) antagonist, but not Ang II type II receptor (AT2R) antago-nist, increased regeneration in nonsteatotic livers. In the presence of steatosis, both AT1R and AT2R antagonists increased liver regeneration. This effect was stronger when the two were com-bined. Neither of the Ang II receptor antagonists protected non-steatotic livers against damage. Only the AT1R antagonist, through nitric oxide inhibition, reduced damage in steatotic livers. The combination of the AT1R and AT2R antagonists in steatotic livers conferred a similar degree of protection to AT1R antagonis