Protective effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

Objectives To investigate protective effect of recombinant human erythropeietin (rhEPO) on acute renal ischemia-reperfusion injury(IR/I) in rats.Methods Twenty one male S-D rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:Sham,IR/I,rhEPO(injection via intraperitoneal 2 h before surgery at the dosages of 1000U/kg).Rat model of renal IR/I was established with clamping both pedicles for 45 min followed by reperfusion.Blood sample and kidneys were collected at indicated times.Serum creatinine levels,urea nitrogen,histological change and mortality were observed throughout the study.ELISA was used to measure the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in kidney observed by Immunohistochemical.Results Extensive proximal tubular necrosis,functional impairment and higher mortality were found repeffusion after 24 hours in IR/I group (P ＜ 0.01).Elevated serum VEGF levels and increased expression of HO-1 protein in kidney were significantly higher than IR/I group and sham group(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions thEPO can attenuate renal IR/I.The protection mechanisms may be through the anti-oxidation and to promote renal tubular epithelial cell regeneration. Key words: Reperfusion Injury;  Kidney;  failure ;  Rats;  Erythropoietion, Recombinant