Effect of IL-13 on expression of IL-1β in acute renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of IL-13 on expression of IL-1β in acute renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Fifty-seven male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 group: normal group,sham operation group, ischemia group, ischemia/reperfusion injury group(I/R), normal saline(NS)-treated group 1(C-1), NS-treated group 2(C-2),IL-13-treated group1(T-1)and IL-13-treated group 2(T-2).Rats were subjected to 45 min bilateral renal ischemia followed by reperfusion. rmIL-13 (1.5 μg/50 g body weight )was injected into the renal arteries through the abdominal aorta before ischemia(T-1) or immediately afterischemia(T-2).The serum level of IL-1β and the renal expression of IL-1β were determined in each group at 24 h post-ischemia. In addition, BUN,Cr and renal histology were also measured. RESULTS: (1)The serum level of IL-1β [C-1to T-1: (27.13±5.51) ng/L to (14.05±3.82) ng/L, P 0.01;C-2 to T-2: (29.52±5.84) ng/L to (14.27±3.52) ng/L, P 0.01], gene expression and protein production of IL-1β in kidney decreased markedly in IL-13-treated groups.(2)Renal function and histology were significantly improved in IL-13-treated groups, renal injury scores decreased significantly.(3)A positive correlation were found between the serum level of IL-1β and BUN,SCr( r= 0 708, P 0 01; r= 0 770, P 0 01).CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IL-13 inhibit the expression of IL-1β and improve function and histology of kidney in acute renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.