Evaluation of Plasma Oxidative Stress Levels in New Zealand White Rabbits Undergoing Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract

Oxidative stresses are particularly important in biomedical studies of ischemic AKI because these animals are very sensitive to stress. This study aims to evaluate serum oxidative stress levels in New Zealand white rabbits following ischemic AKI. On clinical histological examination and autopsy, some rabbits demonstrated severe organ dysfunctions such as gastrointestinal stasis or acute kidney or small intestine inflammation. Twenty-four hours following surgery, serum oxidative stress levels were significantly more increased in all rabbits than they had been prior to surgery. Compared to 24 hours after surgery, most rabbits had lower levels of oxidative stress at one week, but those with symptoms of organ dysfunction had higher levels. Elevated oxidative stress levels prior to kidney surgery were associated with severe organ dysfunction, more pronounced inflammatory and pathological changes to organs, and shorter survival times. Assessment of oxidative stress levels may be a useful indicator for predicting the risk of death from severe organ dysfunction in New Zealand white rabbits.