RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although the intermittent Pringle maneuver is used for major transplant surgery, traumas, and hepatic protection, long ischemia time and reperfusion may limit some protection in Wistar rats. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protection effects of intermittent clamping in the total hepatic pedicle after a long period of ischemia and reperfusion in Wistar rats. METHODS: Forty-two male Wistar rats, weighing ± 327.7 g, were anesthetized intravenously with sodium thiopental and given a U-shaped incision in the abdomen. The total hepatic pedicle was isolated and subjected to clamping with a microvascular clamp. Groups included were the continuous group (CG, n = 14, 40 minutes of ischemia/40 minutes of reperfusion); the intermittent group (IG, n = 14, 4 cycles a 10 minute ischemia/reperfusion 10 minutes); and the sham group (SG, n = 14, 80 minutes of observation time). Blood collection for transaminase dosage was carried out, and hepatic biopsy specimens were taken for mitochondrial respiration and histological evaluation. RESULTS: In groups CG and IG, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes were elevated in comparison to group SG (P < .008); mitochondrias, when stimulated by use of adenosine diphosphate or carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, had a significant decrease in mitochondrial respiration (P < .05), and the respiratory control ratio in the ischemic groups was lower (P < .03) when compared with the GS. On histological examination, 100% of the GC had lesions: 33% focal hemorrhagic necrosis, 17% sinuzoidal congestion and/or vacuolization, and 50% venous congestion; in the IG, 100% had lesions: 43% sinusoidal congestion and/or vacuolization and 57% venous congestion. CONCLUSIONS: The intermittent total hepatic pedicle clamping for a long period of time in the Wistar rats had no efficacy in protection of liver injury.