Protective effects of dexmedetomidine and remote ischemic preconditioning on renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) and dexmedetomidine as pharmacological conditioning in a rat renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury model. METHODS: Total of 28 male Wistar Albino rats weighing 250 to 300 g were divided into 4 equal groups. Group I (Sham; n=7): Laparotomy and renal pedicle dissection were performed, and the rats were observed under anesthesia without any intervention. Group II (IR; n=7): Following laparotomy and 45 minutes of left renal pedicle occlusion, 4 hours of reperfusion was performed. Group III (IR+D; n=7): Following laparotomy and ischemia, dexmedetomidine was administrated intraperitoneally (100 mu g/kg) at fifth minute of reperfusion. Group IV (RIPC+IR; n=7): Under anesthesia, 3 cycles of ischemic preconditioning were applied to the left hind leg, and after 5 minutes, renal IR was performed. All rats were sacrificed after the left kidney was processed for conventional histomorphology. RESULTS: Total histomorphological renal injury score was significantly lower in the Sham group compared with the other groups (p<0.0 I). Total renal injury score of IR group was significantly higher than IR+D and RIPC+IR groups (p<0.0 I). There was no significant difference in the total renal injury score between the dexmedetomidine and RIPC groups (p=0.89). CONCLUSION: In the present study, it was demonstrated histomorphologically that both dexmedetomidine and RIPC decreased renal IR injury significantly. In addition, no significant difference was found between dexmedetomidine and RIPC groups.