The protective effects of beta-carotene against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat ovarian tissue

Introduction: Beta-carotene is a well-known antioxidant and precursor of Vitamin A that has a preventative role in the oxidative damage process. Our aim was to investigate the possible preventive effects of beta-carotene on oxidative damage via experimental ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion models in rat ovaries. Materials and methods: A traumatic vascular clamps were used for 3 h to induce ischemia (Group 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The clamps were then removed to allow reperfusion for 3 h (Group 3, 6, 7). Sham-operated rats (Group 1) underwent laparotomy without the induction of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Real-Time-PCR was performed to determine IL-1-beta, IL-6 and iNOS expression levels. Histopathological (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining (NF-k beta p65) processes were then performed. Finally, SOD, GSH, and MDA levels were determined. Results: Intense hemorrhagic areas were observed in both the ischemia. and ischemia/reperfusion groups, whereas minimal hemorrhage was observed in the treatment groups. The ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion groups exhibited extreme immunoreactivity, detected by NF-k beta p65 staining; this reactivity decreased after the application of beta-carotene. The expression of IL-1-beta, IL-6, and iNOS in the injury groups increased significantly, whereas a dose-dependent improvement was observed in the treatment groups. Finally, MDA levels increased significantly and SOD and GSH levels decreased drastically in the injury groups. However, these values obtained from I/R groups were normalized after beta-carotene treatment. Discussion: In this study, we demonstrated via molecular and biochemical parameters the protective effect of beta-carotene, which is a potent antioxidant, on the experimental ischemia-reperfusion model. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.