Abstract
Folate is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells and important
during periods of rapid cell division and growth. Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α)
is known as a stimulant of apoptotic cell death. The present study was aimed to evaluate
the efficacy of folic acid (CAS 59-30-3) in prevention of apoptosis by inhibiting
TNF-α action in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) induced liver injury. Eighteen Wistar rats
were subjected to 1 h of hepatic ischemia followed by 3 h reperfusion and were divided
into sham-operated control Group (I) (n = 6), ischemia and reperfusion group administered
0.9% saline (5 ml/kg, p.o.) for 7 days (II) (n = 6), folic acid treated group (1 mg/kg
body weight/treated daily by oral route for 7 days before induced ischemia-reperfusion
maneuver) (III) (n = 6). Hepatic damage in rats was assessed in terms of serum alanine
transaminases and aspartate transaminases. TNF-α concentration was measured in serum
by enzyme linked immuno assay. Necrosis and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry
and fluorescence microscopy. Apoptotic marker Bcl-2 gene expression was measured by
reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and Western Blot Analysis.
Pathological changes were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and TNF-α concentration
increased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats with I/R induced injury as compared to
sham operated control rats. Pretreatment with folic acid effectively counteracted
the alternation in hepatic enzymes. TEM, expression of Bcl-2 protein and flow cytometry
studies confirmed the restoration of cellular normalcy and accredits the cytoprotective
role of folic acid against I/R induced hepatic injury. The present study demonstrated
that elevated TNF-α activity directly related to apoptosis and folic acid inhibits
apoptosis by inhibiting the action of TNF-α.
Key words
Apoptosis - Bcl-2 protein - CAS 59-30-3 - Folic acid - Ischemia-reperfusion - Tumor
necrosis factor-α