Effect of taurine on IRAK4 and NF-kappa B in Kupffer cells from rat liver grafts after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the protective mechanisms of taurine pretreatment against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury after liver transplantation.

Methods: A Sprague-Dawley-to-Sprague-Dawley rat liver transplantation model was used in this study. At 0, 60, and 180 minutes after reperfusion, expression of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4) messenger ribonucleic acid and protein in Kupffer cells was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

Protective effect of glutamine-enriched early enteral nutrition on intestinal mucosal barrier injury after liver transplantation in rats.

Background: The effect of glutamine-enriched early enteral nutrition (Gln-EEN) on intestinal mucosal barrier injury after liver transplantation (LT) remains uncertain.

Methods: The Wistar-to-Wistar rat LT model was used to explore the protective effect of Gln-EEN. Morphologic changes of intestinal mucosa, levels of intestinal malondialdehyde and secretory immunoglobulin (sIgA), plasma endotoxin, D-lactic acid, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), rates of bacterial translocation, and expression of intestinal nuclear factor-kappaB, TNF-alpha, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were determined.