Lipoxin A4 Attenuates Acute Rejection Via Shifting Th1/Th2 Cytokine Balance in Rat Liver Transplantation

Aims. To study the role of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) in rat liver transplant rejection. Methods. An acute rejection model of liver transplantation was established in inbred rats DA to LEW that were randomly divided into a control group and a LXA4 group. Liver morphologic changes were examined using hematoxylin/eosin staining. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were quantified to measure liver injury. Intragraft mRNA and protein expressions of interferon (IFN)-gamma interleukin and (IL)-10 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots, respectively. The serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. LXA4 treatment improved hepatic tissue injury as indicated by morphologic analysis. Serum ALT and AST levels were significantly decreased at day 7 post-transplantation (P < .05). Concurrently, expression of IFN-gamma was downregulated (P < .05) and secretion of IL-10 was enhanced (P < .05). Conclusions. LXA4 attenuated acute rejection with a parallel shift from Th1 to Th2 responses in rat liver transplantation.