Effects of sufentanil and morphine on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of sufentanil and morphine on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in rats. Methods Thirty-two healthy Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8–10 weeks, weighing 220–280 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C); cisplatin group (group Cis); sufentanil group (group S); morphine group (group M). Cisplatin 16 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally in group Cis.In group S, cisplatin 16 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally, followed by injection of sufentanil 2 μg/kg over 5 min via the caudal vein for 3 consecutive days.In group M, cisplatin 16 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally, followed by injection of morphine 2 μg/kg over 5 min via the caudal vein for 3 consecutive days.The equal volume of normal saline was given in group C. After the end of administration on 3rd day, blood samples were collected from the orbital venous plexus for measurement of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations.The animals were then sacrificed, and the left kidney specimens were obtained for examination of the pathological changes (under the light microscope) and for determination of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), suvivin and caspase-3 (by Western blot). Periodic acid-Schiff's staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes of the renal tubule. Results Compared with group C, the serum BUN, Cr concentrations and renal tubule injury score were significantly increased, the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased, the expression of XIAP and suvivin was down-regulated, and the expression of caspase-3 was up-regulated in Cis, S and M groups (P 0.05). Conclusion Both sufentanil and morphine can reduce cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in rats with similar efficacy, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis. Key words: Sufentanil; Morphine; Cisplatin; Kidney injury