PURPOSE: Severe local and systemic tissue damage called ischemia/reperfusion 
(IR) injury occurs during the period of reperfusion. Free oxygen radicals and 
proinflammatory cytokines are responsible for reperfusion injury. IL-18 binding 
protein (IL-18BP) is a natural inhibitor of IL-18. The balance between IL-18 and 
IL-18BP has an important role in the inflammatory setting. The present study 
aimed to investigate whether IL-18BP had a protective role in remote organ 
hepatic IR injury.
METHODS: Wistar-Albino rats were divided into three groups that contained seven 
rats. Group I (sham): Laparotomy and infrarenal abdominal aorta (AA) dissection 
were done but no clamping was done. Group II (I/R): The infrarenal AA was 
clamped by atraumatic microvascular clamp for 30 minutes and then was exposed to 
90 minutes of reperfusion. Group III (IR + IL-18BP): 75 µg/kg of IL-18BP in 0.9% 
saline (1 mL) was administered 30 minutes before infrarenal AA dissection and 
clamping; 30 minutes of ischemia was applied and then was exposed to 90 minutes 
of reperfusion.
RESULTS: Serum AST, ALT, and LDH levels were remarkably higher in IR group and 
returned to normal levels in treatment group. The proinflammatory cytokine 
levels had decreased in treatment group, and was statistically significant 
compared with the IR group. Serum levels of total oxidant status and oxidative 
stress index decreased and levels of total antioxidant status increased by 
IL-18BP.
CONCLUSION: This study suggested that IL-18BP has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory 
and hepatoprotective effects in cases of IR with infrarenal AA induced liver 
oxidative damage.