Uridine-5'-triphosphate protects against hepatic- ischemic/reperfusion injury in mice.

Background And Aim: Mitochondrial calcium overload triggers apoptosis and also regulates ATP production. ATP and uridine-5'-triphosphate (UTP) depletion from hepatic tissue after ischemia causes cell death. ATP and UTP binds to cell membranes of the hepatocytes through P2Y receptors.