The Ameliorative Effects of Pycnogenol (R) on Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Objectives: Pycnogenol (R) (PYC (R)), a standardized extract from the bark of Pinus maritima, consists of different phenolic compounds. PYC (R) has shown to have protective effects on chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, and immune disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of PYC (R) against the DNA damage and biochemical changes in blood, liver, and lung tissues of ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: A sham group, IR injury-induced group, and IR+PYC (R) group were formed. Ischemia was induced and sustained for 45 min, then the ischemic liver was reperfused, which was sustained for a further 120 min at the end of this period. After anesthesia and before the IR inducement, 100 mg/kg PYC (R) was given to the IR+PYC (R) group through intraperitoneal injections. The total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS), total thiol levels (TTL), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and biochemical parameters [myeloperoxidase (MPO), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] in the rats were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods and DNA damage was assessed using single-cell gel electrophoresis. Results: The levels of TOS, TTL, MPO, AOPP, ALT, AST, and LDH were significantly decreased in the IR+PYC (R) group compared with the IR group (p<0.05). The levels of TAS were significantly increased in the IR+PYC (R) group compared with the IR group (p<0.05). PYC (R) reduced the DNA damage when compared with the IR group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present results suggest that PYC (R) treatment might have a role in the prevention of IR-induced oxidative damage by decreasing DNA damage and increasing antioxidant status.