Immunohistochemical verification of p53 and bcl-2 expression in rat liver hepatocytes after mechanical thigh injury

Mechanical impacts on a limb segment can lead to metabolic disorders in the affected organs and tissues, resulting in the development of endogenous intoxication and circulatory-hypoxic damage. The liver is one of the first to react to the dyscrasia caused by intoxication, due to an increase in the concentration of inflammation mediators and cytokines after mechanical limb injuries or burns. The aim of the study is to determine the dynamics of bcl-2 and p53 expression in rat liver hepatocytes after mechanical thigh injury. Materials and Methods. The study was performed on white male rats weighing 180–200 g, which were subjected to a mechanical force that replicates the impact of a 5.6 mm bullet. Liver sampling was performed under ether anesthesia by decapitation. An immunohistochemical method for verifying apoptosis (p53) and antiapoptosis (bcl-2) was used using labeled monoclonal antibodies with Mayer's hematoxylin nuclei staining. Statistica v. 7.0 program (StatSoftInc, USA) was used for statistical analysis. Results. Maximum p53 expression is observed in the central and intermediate zones of the liver lobule seven days after the injury, while maximum bcl-2 expression is observed in all zones of the liver lobule one day after the injury. Thus, the early post-traumatic period is characterized by liver cell apoptosis. Then anti-apoptosis mechanisms are activated. After 14 days, p53 and bcl-2 expression gradually approaches the control values, indicating dynamic adaptation of the liver to limb injury and subsequent restoration of its cellular composition.