Effects of Erythropoietin on the Serum and Liver Tissue Levels of Copper and Zinc in Rats with Obstructive Jaundice

Erythropoietin is an anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, angiogenetic cytokine and has protective properties against oxidative stress. In this study we investigated the effects of erythropoietin on the levels (serum and liver tissue) of copper and zinc in cholestatic rats. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats used in the study were divided into four groups - Group I: Sham; Group II: Erythropoietin; Group III: Obstructive Jaundice; Group IV: Obstructive Jaundice+Erythropoietin. After the first operation, rats were followed up for seven days and then operated for the second time. Rats were sacrificed by intracardiac blood taking, and the liver tissue samples were obtained immediately. Erythropoietin reduces copper, and increases zinc levels in serum and liver tissues after obstructive jaundice (p<0.05). Furthermore, it has been shown that the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin/direct bilirubin were significantly lower in Obstructive Jaundice+Erythropoietin group than Obstructive Jaundice group. Erythropoietin affects the changes in copper and zinc levels, thus decreasing the liver damage biochemically in rats with obstructive jaundice. However, further investigations are needed to discover how erythropoietin therapy might reduce target organ damage in cholestatic liver cases by affecting copper and zinc levels.