Effect of taurine on IRAK4 and NF-kappa B in Kupffer cells from rat liver grafts after ischemia-reperfusion injury

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore the protective mechanisms of taurine pretreatment against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury after liver transplantation.MethodsA Sprague-Dawley–to–Sprague-Dawley rat liver transplantation model was used in this study. At 0, 60, and 180 minutes after reperfusion, expression of interleukin-1 receptor–associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4) messenger ribonucleic acid and protein in Kupffer cells was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The activity of nuclear factor κB in Kupffer cells was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The serum tumor necrosis factor–α level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum transaminases, liver histology, and animal survival were also investigated.ResultsAt 60 and 180 minutes after reperfusion, levels of IRAK-4 messenger ribonucleic acid and protein, activities of nuclear factor κB, and levels of serum transaminases and tumor necrosis factor–α were all obviously elevated. However, changes in these parameters in rats treated with taurine were remarkably attenuated at the indicated time points.ConclusionsThese data suggest that taurine could protect against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury after liver transplantation, and the protective effects may be through downregulation of IRAK-4 and downstream nuclear factor κB and tumor necrosis factor–α expression in Kupffer cells.