Effect of Sunitinib on Liver Oxidative and Proinflammatory Damage Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is defined as a complex pathologic process that begins with the oxygen deprivation of tissue, continues with the production of reactive oxygen radicals (ROS), and expands with an inflammatory response. This study investigates the protective effects of sunitinib, an anticancer drug with demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, against liver IR damage. Our study aims to investigate the biochemical and histopathologic effects of sunitinib on IR-induced liver damage in rats. Methods: Albino Wistar male rats were divided into 3 groups: liver IR control (IR), 25 mg/kg sunitinib + liver IR (S+IR), and sham operation (SHAM). Results: In the liver tissue of the IR group, oxidant and proinflammatory cytokine levels such as malondialdehyde, nuclear factor κ B, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β increased compared with the SHAM and S+IR groups. In addition, antioxidant levels such as total glutathione, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase were found to be significantly lower in the IR group than in the SHAM and S+IR groups. Although severe histopathologic damage was observed in the IR group, it was evaluated as mild in the S+IR group. The results obtained suggest that sunitinib may be helpful in the treatment of liver IR injury. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.