Background : Liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury poses a significant challenge in liver resection and transplantation, often resulting in graft dysfunction. This study focuses on evaluating the therapeutic potential of rapamycin in addressing fibrotic liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model. Rapamycin, a modulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, is investigated for its protective effects against fibrotic liver IR injury. The study hypothesizes that rapamycin may offer a therapeutic strategy to ameliorate liver graft dysfunction associated with fibrotic liver IR injury.

Methods : The experimental design involves inducing fibrotic liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model, followed by rapamycin administration. Assessment methods include evaluating liver function, measuring inflammatory parameters, and examining the impact on caspase in liver ischemia/reperfusion.

Results : Rapamycin administration showed significantly recovery of liver function by decreasing ALT and AST, and creatinine, and increasing bilirubin. In addition, rapamycin reduces proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1B, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta, and alleviate in apoptosis, as indicated by decreased levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Conclusions : Results confirm rapamycin's effectiveness in reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury. The study provides insights into potential therapeutic interventions of rapamycin application for improving outcomes in liver transplantation and resection.