Evaluation of the Effect of Ascorbic Acid Administration on Gene Expression Level of IL-6 and TNF-α Cytokines in Deceased Donors

Abstract

Brain death is associated with increased inflammatory cytokines levels and poor graft quality to transplant. We aimed to evaluate the impact of Ascorbic Acid (AA) on the inflammatory status of Brain-Dead Donors (BDDs). Forty BDDs were randomly divided into two groups. Donor treatment (n=20) consisted of 100 mg/kg AA infusion 6 hours before donor operation and subsequent infusion of 100 mg/kg/p6h until organ removal. Blood samples were taken at three times, 6 hours before donor surgery (TP(1)), immediately after laparotomy (TP(2)), and before organ removal (TP(3)). Gene expression level and serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines were assessed by real-time PCR and ELISA methods. To investigate transplanted liver function, serum values of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and Billirubin-Total were evaluated on the 1(st), 3(rd), and 10(th) postoperative days. We found a significant reduction in IL-6 mRNA expression ratio of TP(3) to TP(1) following AA application among BDDs. Despite the considerable decrease in treated donors regarding IL-6 mRNA expression ratio of TP(2) to TP(1), TP(3) to TP(2), and also TNF-α variations in these periods, the results were not significant. Regarding serum concentration of these cytokines, particularly IL-6, there was a decrease between TP(2) and TP(3) following AA application in the treated donors. Furthermore, a significant reduction was found in serum AST and ALT levels in the recipients of treated group on the 3(rd) day compared to the 1(st) day after transplantation. It seems that AA beneficially affects the inflammatory status of BDDs, resulting in improved primary allograft function.

Keywords

• Antioxidants
• Ascorbic Acid
• Brain death
• Cytokines
• Inflammation
• Liver transplantation