EFFECTS OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON THE SERUM AND LIVER TISSUE LEVELS OF COPPER AND ZINC IN RATS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE EFEKTI ERITROPOETINA NA NIVOE BAKRA I CINKA U SERUMU I TKIVIMA JETRE KOD PACOVA SA OPSTRUKTIVNOM @UTICOM

Summary Background: Erythropoietin is an anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, angiogenetic cytokine and has protective properties against oxidative stress. In this study we investigated the effects of erythropoietin on the le vels (serum and liver tissue) of copper and zinc in cholestatic rats. Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats used in the study were divided into four groups -Group I: Sham; Group II: Erythropoietin; Group III: Obstruc tive Jaundice; Group IV: Obstructive Jaundice+Erythro poietin. After the first operation, rats were followed up for seven days and then operated for the second time. Rats were sacrificed by intracardiac blood taking, and the liver tissue samples were obtained immediately. Results: Erythropoietin reduces copper, and increases zinc levels in serum and liver tissues after obstructive jaundice (p<0.05). Furthermore, it has been shown that the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin/direct bilirubin were significantly lower in Obstructive Jaundice+Erythropoietin group than Obstructive Jaundice group. Conclusions: Erythropoietin affects the changes in copper and zinc levels, thus decrea sing the liver damage biochemically in rats with obstructive jaundice. However, further investigations are needed to discover how erythropoietin therapy might reduce target organ damage in cholestatic liver cases by affecting copper and zinc levels

THE EFFECTS OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON BACTERIAL TRANSLOCATION AND INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN AN EXPERIMENTAL INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION MODEL IN RATS UTICAJ ERITROPOETINA NA BAKTERIJSKU TRANSLOKACIJU I INFLAMATORNI ODGOVOR U EKSPERIMENTALNOM MODELU INTESTINALNE OPST

Summary Background: Intestinal obstruction results in distortion of balance of antiinflammatory cytokines and release of oxidants, and also leads to bacterial translocation, sepsis and multiple organ failure. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is related to multiple organ failure as a new prognostic marker. Erythropoietin reduces the inflammatory response by decreasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and cytokine-induced apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of erythropoietin in reducing the severity of bacterial translocation and inflammatory response after intestinal obstruction and the relation between asymmetric dimethylarginine and inflammatory markers. Methods: Forty Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were divided into 4 groups as follows: Group 1 (Sham), only ileocaecal junction dissection; Group 2 (Erythropoietin), ileocaecal junction dissection and 3000 IU/kg erythropoietin subcutaneously; Group 3 (Intestinal Obstruction), complete ileal ligation; Group 4 (Intestinal Obstruction + Erythro poi e tin), complete ileal ligation and 3000 IU/kg erythropoietin subcutaneously. After 24 hours, the rats were sacrificed by taking blood from the heart for biochemical analyses. Peri to neal swab culture, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and ileum were collected for microbiological and histopathological examinations. Results: Erythropoietin reduced the secretion of in flammatory cytokines, oxidative damage and bacterial translocation, prevented the formation of inflammatory changes in the intestine, liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes