Carboxyfullerene nanoparticles alleviate acute hepatic injury in severe hemorrhagic shock

Hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation involves overwhelming reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and subsequent tissue injury. We investigated the effects of the potent antioxidant carboxyfullerene (C3) on acute liver injury during hemorrhage shock/resuscitation. C3 infusion reduced the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, methemoglobin content, malondialdehyde content, myeloperoxidase activity and expression levels of tumor necrosis factor -α and interleukin-6; it increased superoxide dismutase activity in the liver. The histologic injury score and apoptotic index were also markedly decreased after C3 treatment compared with the vehicle group. Additionally, C3-treated rats showed a significant decrease in nuclear factor-κB DNA binding capacity, which was preceded by reduced phosphorylation of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit in the liver. C3 nanoparticles ameliorate oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, and subsequent acute liver injury after hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation. These protective effects appear to be mediated through the inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB pathway. C3 treatment may be a promising strategy to improve tissue injury in hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation.