Mina Ranjbaran

Ameliorative Effect of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin and Ischemic Preconditioning on Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is one of the most common causes of renal dysfunction. There is increasing evidence about the role of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these injuries and endogenous antioxidants seem to have an important role in decreasing the renal tissue injury. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) and ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on renal IR injury. Materials and Methods: Twenty four male Wistar rats were allocated into four experimental groups: sham-operated, IR, EPO + IR, and IPC + IR. Rats were underwent 50 minutes bilateral ischemia followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Erythropoietin (5000 IU/kg, i.p) was administered 30 minutes before onset of ischemia. Ischemic preconditioning was performed by three cycles of 3 minutes ischemia followed by 3 minutes reperfusion. Plasma concentrations of urea and creatinine were measured. Kidney samples were taken for reactive oxidative species (ROS) measurement including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione (GSH) contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results: Compared to the sham group, IR led to renal dysfunction as evidenced by significantly higher plasma urea and creatinine. Treatment with EPO or IPC decreased urea, creatinine, and renal MDA levels and increased SOD activity and GSH contents in the kidney. Conclusions: Pretreatment with EPO and application of IPC significantly ameliorated the renal injury induced by bilateral renal IR. However, both treatments attenuated renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in kidney tissues. There were no significant differences between pretreatment with EPO or application of IPC.

Erythropoietin attenuates experimental haemorrhagic shock-induced renal damage through an iNOS- dependent mechanism in male Wistar rats

AIM Erythropoietin (EPO) is shown to exert protective effects on different tissues in haemorrhagic shock (HS) states. Nitric oxide (NO), as a multifunctional signaling molecule, is implicated in diverse physiologic and pathologic processes. In order to understand the exact mechanism of EPO protection, in this study we evaluated the role of different NOS enzymes in the EPO signaling pathway in male rats. METHODS Rats were randomized to five groups: 1) Sham, 2) HS 3) EPO 4) L-NAME, a non-specific NOS inhibitor 5) 1400W, a specific iNOS inhibitor. HS was induced by withdrawal of 50% of total blood volume. After 2h, resuscitation was performed with the shed blood and Ringers lactate. In group 3, rats were treated with EPO (300IU/kg, i.v.) over 10min before HS induction. In the L-NAME and 1400W groups, L-NAME (10mg/kg, i.p.) and 1400W (2mg/kg, i.p.) were administered 30min before EPO injection. Blood and kidney tissue samples were obtained 3h after resuscitation. RESULTS EPO increased the survival rate and significantly improved kidney function and histology compared to the HS group. There were less renal oxidative stress, apoptosis and systemic inflammatory responses in the EPO group. EPO increased eNOS and more abundantly iNOS mRNA expressions. L-NAME and 1400W significantly abolished all beneficial effects of EPO. CONCLUSION In this in vivo animal model, we showed that EPO administration prior to HS attenuates renal injury and dysfunction in rats. The protective effects of EPO may be mediated by nitric oxide and the expression of different NOS enzymes, especially iNOS isoform.

Renal tissue pro-inflammatory gene expression is reduced by erythropoietin in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock

Background Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is a condition produced by considerable loss of intravascular volume, which may eventually lead to organ damage and death. Objectives In the present study, the potential implication of the kidney tissue tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were evaluated in the protective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) during HS. Materials and Methods Male Wistar rats were randomized into three experimental groups; Sham, HS (hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation), and EPO (erythropoietin). HS was induced by 50% blood volume hemorrhage over 30 minutes. After 2 hours, resuscitation was performed within 30 minutes. In the EPO group, EPO (300 IU/kg, i.v.) was administered 10 minutes before HS induction. Urine was collected to determine urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity level. The kidney cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10) mRNA expressions were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results HS rats showed significant increase in urinary NAG activity compared to the sham group. EPO significantly attenuated the rises in urinary NAG activity compared to the HS group. In the HS animals, renal TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expressions increased whereas no difference was observed in IL-10 mRNA expression between the HS and sham groups. EPO was able to decrease renal TNF-α and IL-6 production and increase IL-10 mRNA expression. Conclusions In this study, we demonstrated that EPO attenuates kidney damage in rats subjected to HS. The beneficial effects of EPO may be at least partly mediated by modifications in the inflammatory cascade.

Enhancement of renal oxidative stress by injection of angiotensin II into the paraventricular nucleus in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

This study was designed to investigate whether microinjection of angiotensin II (Ang II) into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury has any effect on renal oxidative stress and damage through renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). One week before the induction of left renal IR injury, right nephrectomy was performed and a cannula was placed into the right PVN. Rats were then distributed among 4 groups (n = 6); Sham, IR, IR + Ang II, and IR + Ang II + losartan. Renal IR injury was induced by clamping the left renal artery for 45 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Losartan (0.3 μg) and Ang II (3 ng) were microinjected into the PVN at 20 min and 10 min, respectively, before the induction of IR injury. Ang II increased plasma creatinine, urinary NAG activity, and histological changes, and enhanced RSNA compared with the IR group (p < 0.05). Ang II increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the kidney compared with IR injury. Losartan caused a reduction in plasma creatinine, urinary NAG activity, histological changes, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and renal MDA levels, and increased renal SOD activity compared with the IR group (p < 0.05). These data demonstrated that increased RSNA activity, via microinjection of Ang II into the PVN, exaggerated renal IR injury by inducing oxidative stress in the kidney.

Inhibitory Effect of NMDA Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area on Hormonal and Eating Behavior Responses to Stress in Rats

Background. Stress and its consequences are among the causes of accidents. Objective. The effects of intraventral tegmental area (I-VTA) memantine on the plasma corticosterone and eating parameters disturbance induced by acute stress were investigated. Methods. Male Wistar rats (W: 250–300 g) were divided into control and experiential groups, each of which received memantine either intra-VTA or peripherally. One week after bilateral cannulation, the rats received memantine (1 and 5 μg/Rat) five min before electroshock stress. The other experimental groups received memantine (1 and 5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 30 min before stress. The control groups received saline or memantine but did not experience stress. Food and water intake and plasma corticosterone level were recorded. Results. Results showed that stress decreases food intake but does not change water intake and increase in plasma corticosterone level. Intraperitoneal memantine administration slightly inhibits the stress effects on food intake. However, water intake and plasma corticosterone level were increased. Intra-VTA memantine reduces the effects of stress on corticosterone and water intake. Conclusion. It could be concluded that inhibition of glutamate NMDA receptors in the VTA by memantine leads to the inhibition of the eating behavior parameters and plasma corticosterone level disturbance induced by stress in rats.

Nephroprotection through the Akt/eNOS pathway by centrally administered erythropoietin in a rat model of fixed-volume hemorrhage

Aims: This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of centrally administered erythropoietin (EPO) on brain oxidative stress and inflammatory markers to protect the kidneys during hemorrhagic shock (HS). Main methods: Animals were assigned into three groups (n = 6). Sham rats were subjected to cannulation of femoral artery and vein as well as stereotaxic surgery. In HS group, 50% of total blood volume was withdrawn and resuscitation was started 2 h later. In EPO group, stereotaxic surgery in lateral ventricle was performed one week before induction of HS for administration of EPO (2 IU) just before resuscitation. Plasma samples, kidney and brain tissues were allocated after a further 3 h in all animals. Key findings: There was a significant increase in survival rate in the EPO group (69.3%) compared to the HS group (35.7%). Brain EPO administration significantly attenuated the rises in BUN, plasma Cr and NGAL, brain and renal MDA content and also increased SOD activity in the kidney and brain compared to the HS group. Brain, plasma and kidney TNF‐&agr; and IL‐6 levels were significantly reduced by EPO compared to HS group. EPO increased the phosphorylation of Akt on Ser473 and eNOS mRNA expression in the kidney tissue compared to the HS group. Significance: In conclusion, centrally administered EPO reduced pro‐inflammatory and oxidative stress indices in the kidney and reduced apoptosis by activation of the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway. Hence, it can be hypothesized that EPO may play a major role in the central regulation of renal system as a neuromodulator.

Long-term exercise restores hydrogen sulfide in the kidney and contributes to exercise benefits in 5/6 nephrectomized rats

ABSTRACT Physical exercise is shown to have protective effects on chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD itself is associated with a reduction in renal hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration. This study was designed to investigate whether protective effects of exercise in 5/6 nephrectomized (5/6 NX) rats is associated with H2S levels in the kidney? Twenty four male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 g were assigned into 4 groups: 1- Sham 2- Sham exercise 3–5/6 NX 4–5/6 NX+exercise. To induce CKD, 4 days after removing upper and lower one-third parts of the left kidney, total right nephrectomy was performed. In the Sham groups, anesthesia and surgery were performed like the other groups without removal of the kidney mass. Exercise was performed by treadmill at a speed of 18 m/min for 8 weeks. At the end of the twelfth week, blood and kidney samples were collected to measure renal function (levels of plasma urea and creatinine), oxidative stress markers (renal MDA level and SOD activity), and histological indices. Eight weeks exercise significantly improved serum creatinine, BUN, renal MDA level, SOD activity, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), hypertension, and renal histology in addition to renal H2S level compared to the 5/6 NX group. The results suggest that regular exercise improves renal oxidative status and ameliorates renal damage, hypertension, and RSNA in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. These improvements by exercise might be associated with the increase in renal H2S level.

Up-regulation of nitric oxide synthases by erythropoietin alone or in conjunction with ischemic preconditioning in ischemia reperfusion injury of rat kidneys

The effects of erythropoietin (EPO) alone or in conjunction with ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on nitric oxide synthase as well as comparing their effects on oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines are studied. Rats underwent bilateral renal ischemia of 50 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. They were administered EPO (5000 iu/kg i.p.) and/or subjected to IPC and sacrificed after 24 h, then plasma and tissue samples were obtained. Treatment of either EPO or IPC and their combination attenuates oxidative stress, decreases histological damages, inhibits proinflammatory response, and up-regulates iNOS and eNOS gene expression compared to IR group. In addition, EPO+IPC and EPO treatment produced significant up-regulation in iNOS gene expression compared to IPC group. In IPC and EPO+IPC groups, more powerful effect on up-regulation of eNOS gene expression was shown compared to EPO group. Our findings suggest that treatment with EPO or IPC and their combination improve renal function and preserve tubular damage induced by IR injury. These advantageous effects were closely related to reducing oxidative stress, suppressing proinflammatory response and enhancing generation of NO. IPC was more powerful in enhancement of eNOS gene expression compared to EPO that was more effective in increasing of iNOS gene expression.