Protective effect of betanin on liver injury after jejunal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Jejunal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) causes intestinal damage and secondary hepatic pathology. Betanin, a naturally occurring antioxidant, may protect against such injury. Forty-nine male Wistar rats were randomized into two IRI groups: untreated (A) and betanin-pretreated (B, 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally, 30 min before a 60-min ischemia). Reperfusion followed for 1, 4, or 24 h, after which liver samples were collected for histomorphometric, immunohistochemical (anti-MPO, anti-MCM2), and immunofluorescence (COX-2, CAT) analyses. Betanin pretreatment reduced histopathological liver injury indices, accompanied by decreased hepatic inflammation. COX-2 immunopositivity was lower throughout the entire reperfusion period in betanin-treated animals, with levels approaching sham-control values at 24 h. MCM2 immunoreactivity was significantly lower at 24 h in the betanin group. Parenteral betanin pretreatment was associated with attenuation of histopathological liver injury, lower COX-2 immunopositivity, and reduced catalase expression, suggesting a potential hepatoprotective effect.