Effect of Emodin on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca ²⁺]i) and apoptosis of hepatic cells after simulated cold ischemia-reperfusion

Objective: To investigate the effect of Emodin on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) and apoptosis of hepatic cells after simulated cold ischemia-reperfusion. Methods: Glucose-oxygen deprivation, low temperature, subsequent reoxygenation and rewarming were used to induce ischemia-reperfusion injury model in cultured hepatic cells which were divided into 4 groups: control group and Emodin-treated group (100, 10 and 1 μmol/L groups). The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) and apoptosis rate were determined by flow cytometry (FCM) respectively; the content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in supernatant was tested. Results: Intracellular calcium fluorescence intensity in Emodin-treated groups of high, medium and low density was 24.12± 0.51, 26.35±1.34 and 39.12±1.94, respectively, which were significantly lower than 105.29±1.01 in control group(P<0.01). Apoptosis rate in Emodin-treated groups of high, medium and low density was 0.0546±0.0041, 0.1064±0.0064 and 0.1190±0.0050, respectively, which were significantly lower than 0.2540±0.0141 in control group(P<0.01). LDH was (198.83±14.22)u/L and (179.67±18.57)u/L in Emodin-treated groups of medium and high density respectively, which were significantly lower than (351.33±34.16) u/L in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Emodin could reduce [Ca²⁺]i and inhibit apoptosis of hepatic cells after simulated cold ischemia-reperfusion, thus protecting hepatic cells effectively.