Benidipine can prevent liver ischemia reperfusion injury in rats: a biochemical and histopathological evaluation

Ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury is defined as a pathological process which initiates with tissue deoxygenation, continues with oxidative stress, and spreads with inflammation. Increased intracellular calcium is responsible for oxidative stress and inflammation during this process. Benidipine is an antihypertensive drug acting as an T/L-type calcium channel blocker. The effect of benidipine on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity is not known. Benidipine being a calcium channel blocker suggests that it may suppress oxidant and proinflammatory COX-2 production. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of benidipine on IR induced liver injury in albino Wistar male rats. Animals were divided into three groups: liver ischemia reperfusion (LIR), 2 mg/kg benidipine + liver ischemia reperfusion (BLIR), and sham surgery (SHAM). Hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct were clamped to obtain ischemia for one hour and reperfusion for six hours. Malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and COX-2 levels were higher, whereas total glutathione (tGSH) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) levels were lower in the LIR group. Liver tissue of the LIR group showed marked dilated congested blood vessels and increased bile duct proliferation, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, edema, hemorrhage and destruction. MDA, ALT, AST and COX-2 levels were lower, and tGSH and COX-1 levels were higher in the BLIR group treated with benidipine. Liver tissue of the BLIR group was found to be normal except for mild dilated blood vessels. These experimental findings indicate that benidipine may be useful in the treatment of liver IR injury. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of the Academy of Forensic Science.