The effects of catalpol on ischemia-reperfusion induced experimental renal damage

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the protective effects of catalpol against renal ischemia reperfusion (IR) induced renal damage in rats. The forty Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups. Right nephrectomy was performed in all groups. In the control group; IR injury was not performed (Group 1). In the IR group; left renal pedicle was clamped for 60 minutes with vascular clamp and then underwent 24 hours of reperfusion (Group 2). In the Catalpol+IR group; 20 mg/kg catalpol was given intraperitoneally (ip) before 1 hours and 24 hours of ishemic process (Group 3). IR+Catalpol group; 20 mg/kg catalpol was given ip after 1 hours and 24 hours of ishemic process (Group 4). The kidney and serum samples were taken from all rats for the histological examination with light microscopy and the determination of urea, creatinin, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level. Light microscopic investigations showed that IR leads to significant histological damage in kidney tissue in the Group 2 when compared to the control group as histologically. But the most extensive damage occured at only ischemia-reperfusion group when compared to other groups. Catalpol treatment reduced histopathological damages that occur with the IR (p>0,05). Serum urea levels were found to be significantly higher in the Group 2, 3 and 4 when compared to control groups. Creatinin levels were found to be significantly higher in the Group 2, 3 and 4 when compared to control groups. Ischemia reperfusion injury significantly increased the formation of MDA, it caused a significant decline in the levels of GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD in rats. In contrast, In the Group 3 and Group 4, catalpol significantly prevented effects of IR injury via increased GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD levels but decreased MDA when compared to Group 2. On the other hands, in the Group 3, catalpol significantly increased GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD levels and decreased MDA when compared to Group 4. Our findings indicated that IR injury lead to significant oxidative and inflamatory damage in renal tissue. However catalpol treatment reduced these negative effects induced by IR injury. For this reason, we suggested that catalpol may be used in the treatment of IR injury. Key words: Ischemia reperfusion injury, catalpol, oxidative stress, inflammation