RTA-408 attenuates the hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury in mice possibly by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

RTA-408, also referred to as Omaveloxolone, is a potent activator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and has been demonstrated with protective effects against oxidative stress-induced injury. Oxidative stress is closely associated with the pathogenesis of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI). The aim of this study is to elucidate the impact and underlying mechanisms of RTA-408 in the process of HIRI. In the HIRI mice models, we found that RTA-408 improved liver function of HIRI mice and attenuated the HIRI-induced oxidative stress in vivo. Moreover, the neutrophil infiltration in liver tissues of HIRI mice was alleviated by the administration of RTA-408. RTA-408 treatment also rescued the elevated apoptosis in the liver tissues of HIRI mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that RTA-408 treatment activated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in liver tissues of HIRI mice. Furthermore, the HIRI mice models were developed using Nrf2-deficient mice to explore whether the protective effect of RTA-408 on HIRI was achieved through the activation of Nrf2. The results indicated that RTA-408 did not significantly alleviate the liver injury in Nrf2-deficient mice. Collectively, our results suggest that RTA-408 attenuates HIRI by improving liver function, and attenuating oxidative stress damage, apoptosis and inflammatory response possibly via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, which may provide a novel treatment strategy for HIRI patients.