The protective effect of nesfatin-1 against renal ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

Introduction: The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury involve oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Nesfatin-1, a novel peptide, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptic properties. The study was to examine the potential protective effects of nesfatin-1 on renal I/R injury. Materials and methods: I/R model was induced by placing a clamp across left renal artery for 45 min followed by 24 h reperfusion, along with a contralateral nephrectom. Twenty-four rats divided into three groups: sham-operated group, vehicle-treated I/R and nesfatin-1-treated I/R. Nesfatin-1 was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before renal ischemia. We harvested serum and kidneys at 24 h after reperfusion. Renal function and histological changes were assessed. Marker of oxidative stress and cells in kidney were also evaluated. Results: The animals with nesfatin-1 significantly improved renal functional and histologic lesions induced by I/R injury. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased. Moreover, nesfatin-1-treated rats had a markedly decrease in apoptotic tubular cells, as well as a decrease in caspase-3 activity and an increase in the bcl-2/Bax ratio. Conclusions: This is the first evidence that nesfatin-1 treatment ameliorates acute renal I/R injury by suppressing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. Therefore, it is promising as a potential therapeutic agent for renal IR injury.