Evaluation of the Effect of Ascorbic Acid Administration on Gene Expression Level of IL-6 and TNF-α Cytokines in Deceased Donors

Brain death is associated with increased inflammatory cytokines levels and poor graft quality to transplant. We aimed to evaluate the impact of Ascorbic Acid (AA) on the inflammatory status of Brain-Dead Donors (BDDs). Forty BDDs were randomly divided into two groups. Donor treatment (n=20) consisted of 100 mg/kg AA infusion 6 hours before donor operation and subsequent infusion of 100 mg/kg/p6h until organ removal. Blood samples were taken at three times, 6 hours before donor surgery (TP1), immediately after laparotomy (TP2), and before organ removal (TP3). Gene expression level and serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines were assessed by real-time PCR and ELISA methods. To investigate transplanted liver function, serum values of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and Billirubin-Total were evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, and 10th postoperative days. We found a significant reduction in IL-6 mRNA expression ratio of TP3 to TP1 following AA application among BDDs. Despite the considerable decrease in treated donors regarding IL-6 mRNA expression ratio of TP2 to TP1, TP3 to TP2, and also TNF-α variations in these periods, the results were not significant. Regarding serum concentration of these cytokines, particularly IL-6, there was a decrease between TP2 and TP3 following AA application in the treated donors. Furthermore, a significant reduction was found in serum AST and ALT levels in the recipients of treated group on the 3rd day compared to the 1st day after transplantation. It seems that AA beneficially affects the inflammatory status of BDDs, resulting in improved primary allograft function.