Xanthine oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species activate nuclear factor kappa B during hepatic ischemia in rats

The present study was carried out to elucidate the relationship between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an activation of nuclear f actor (NF) kappa B in a hepatic ischemia-reperfusion model. During the isch emic period, the contents of xanthine oxidase (XOD) metabolites and thiobar bituric acid-reactive substances were significantly increased, and NF-kappa B was activated in the liver of rats. The activation of NF-kappa B was inh ibited by pretreatment of allopurinol (10 - 100 mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose-depe ndent manner. In conclusion, this suggests that the XOD-derived ROS may act ivate NF-kappa B during ischemia.