Cell proliferation, apoptosis, NF-kappa B expression, enzyme, protein, andweight changes in livers of burned rats

Thermal injury has been shown to alter gut epithelium and heart myocyte hom eostasis by inducing programmed cell death. The effect of thermal injury on hepatocyte apoptosis and proliferation, however, has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a large thermal injury increases liver cell apoptosis and proliferation and whether these changes were associated with alterations in hepatic nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappa B) expression and changes in liver enzymes and amount of protein. Sprague-D awley rats received a 40% total body surface area scald burn or sham burn. Rats were killed and livers were harvested at 1, 2, 5, and 7 days after bur n. Liver cell apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxyuridine nick end la beling (TUNEL) assay and cell proliferation by immunohistochemistry for pro liferating cell nuclear antigen. Hepatic NF-kappaB expression was determine d by Western blot, and total hepatic protein content was determined by prot ein assay. Protein concentration decreased after burn compared with sham co ntrols (P < 0.05). Liver cell apoptosis, proliferation, and NF-<kappa>B exp ression in hepatocytes increased in burned rats compared with controls (P, 0.05). It was concluded that thermal injury induces hepatic cell apoptosis and proliferation associated with an increase in hepatic NF-kappaB expressi on and a decrease in hepatic protein concentration.