Effect of adiponectin on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice

Objective To evaluate the effect of adiponectin on renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice. Methods Thirty-two male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8 weeks, weighing 20–25 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (group S), I/R group and adiponectin + I/R group (group A+ I/R). Bilateral kidneys were exposed, and their pedicles were occluded for 30 min with atraumatic miniclamp followed by reperfusion.Globular domain of adiponectin 5 μg/g was injected intraperitoneally at 15 min before ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion in group A+ I/R.The mice underwent eye enucleation at 48 h of reperfusion, and blood samples were collected for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations.Bilateral kidneys were obtained for microscopic examination and for determination of the expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA expression (using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). The damage to the renal tubules was scored. Results Compared with group S, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations, and renal tubular damage score were significantly increased, and the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA was up-regulated in I/R and A+ I/R groups (P< 0.05). Compared with group I/R, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations, and renal tubular damage score were significantly decreased, and the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA was down-regulated in group A+ I/R (P < 0.05). The pathological changes of renal tissues were significantly reduced in group A+ I/R as compared with group I/R. Conclusion Adiponectin can mitigate renal I/R injury in mice, and the mechanism is related to inhibition of inflammatory responses. Key words: Adiponectin; Kidney; Reperfusion injury