To investigate the mechanism of ischemic postconditioning on alleviating liver injury induced by intestinal ischemia reperfusion, and to find the prevention and treatment strategy for ischemic reperfusion injury.

A total of thirty-six rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=12 in each group), Sham group(only exposing SMA), IR group(clamping SMA for 60 min, reperfusing 120 min), IP group (clamping SMA for 60 min, and three cycles of 30 seconds reperfusion and 30 seconds ischemia, reperfusing 117 min). Levels of MDA and MPO in serum and liver tissues were measured after reperfusion. Levels of arterial blood TNF-α, IL-10, ALT and AST were also measured. The pathological changes of liver and small intestine were observed, and expressions of NF-κBp65 and HIF-1α protein in liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Compared with the SO group, MDA and MPO levels in serum and liver tissues increased obviously in the IR group. TNF-α, IL-10, AST and ALT were increased significantly. While the intestinal and liver injuries were more serious, expressions of NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α were increased obviously. Compared with the IR group, the intestinal and liver injuries and the expression of NF- κ B p65 were decreased obviously in the IP group, the expression of HIF-1α was increased obviously, levels of TNF-α, AST and ALT were decreased significantly, and IL-10 level was increased. MDA and MPO levels in serum and liver tissues were decreased obviously(P<0.05).

Ischemic postconditioning can promote the activation of inflammatory factor and the expression of HIF-1α, inhibit the inflammatory cascade reaction regulated by NF-κB signaling path, and reduce liver injury induced by intestinal ischemia reperfusion.