Zip-14 Expression After Abdominal Surgery in Rats is Mainly Regulated by the Il-6 Signaling Pathway

Abstract Objective. Study the signaling pathways involved in hepatic Zip14 expression in rats undergoing abdominal surgery. Animals. Twenty-five Wistar rats received specific IL-6 and IL-1β signaling pathway inhibitors, were subjected to abdominal surgical stress, and sacrificed at 9-h. Rats administered with the vehicle used with each inhibitor served as controls. Methods. mRNA-Zip14 transporter was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR, and protein levels were determined by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Intracellular zinc levels were determined by zinquin and dithizone stains. Results. Rats administered with a pStat3 inhibitor and undergoing 9-h of abdominal surgery presented a decrease of Zip-14 mRNA and its protein level and an intracellular reduction of zinc. Jak2 inhibition decreased Zip-14 mRNA and its protein levels, but intracellular zinc levels did not show changes. Rats administered with an NF-kB inhibitor increased Zip14-mRNA levels without protein and intracellular zinc changes. Inhibition of JNK and MAPp38 did not change Zip-14 mRNA, but the protein level decreased and showed an increase in intracellular zinc. Conclusion. Results suggest that after abdominal surgery, Zip-14 is one of the most essential zinc transporters involved in the hepatic redistribution of zinc. The main signaling pathway involved in Zip-14 expression is mediated by Jak 2/ stat3, which IL-6 activates.