Objective       To determine the effects of adiponectin on liver warm ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) and on the apoptosis of bile duct cells in rats

and clarify its possible mechanism.       Methods       SD rats were randomly divided into 3 gr

oups (n=12 in each group)

sham group

IRI group and adiponectin pretreatment group (60 μg/kg before IRI). Blood and hepatic tissue samples were harvested at 3

6

12 and 24 h after reperfusion. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by ELISA. Their mRNA levels in bile duct tissues were measured by PCR. TUNEL technique was carried out to determine apoptotic cells in the bile duct tissues. Caspase-3 expression was detected by Western blot analysis. The levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin were deteited

and the histological changes in hepatic tissue were observed.       Results       After reperfusion 6 h

serum levels of ALT

ALP

TBIL

TNF-α and IL-6 were 3 215.00±109.12

326.67±30.55

9.47±0.76

252.10±10.56

and 66.72±2.79 respectively in IRI group and 2 397.00±430.19

264.33±27.06

5.23±0.91

95.96±5.65

and 29.22±1.33 respectively in adiponectin pretreatment group

and there was significant difference between 2 groups (

P

0.05). But adiponectin pretreatment resulted in obviously reduced TNF-α mRNA (1.93±0.28 vs 2.77±0.30

P

0.05)

increased IL-10 mRNA (3.03±0.27 vs 1.65±0.20

P

0.05)

and decreased apoptotic cells in bile duct tissues when compared with IRI group (

P

0.05). There were significant differences in the protein level of caspase-3 (73.26±7.21 vs 42.48±3.37

P

0.05)and apoptotic index between the IRI group and adiponect in pretreatment group (

P

0.05).       Conclusion       Hepatic IRI enhances the injury of bile ducts in rats. Adiponectin pretreatment ameliorates inflammatory response

attenuates bile duct cell apoptosis

and plays a protective effect in the bile duct injury after IRI.