Related Experiment Videos
Free radical-mediated postischemic injury in renal transplantation
1Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
Abstract:
Oxygen free radicals are generated during reperfusion of ischemic organs. Studies employing several species of laboratory animal (rat, dog, pig, rabbit, mouse) have documented protective effects of a variety of free-radical scavengers and antioxidants when administered before or immediately preceding reperfusion of ischemic kidneys. These protective agents include superoxide dismutase, dimethylthiorea, dimethyl sulfoxide, alpha-tocopherol, glutathione, the iron chelator deferoxamine, probucol, allopurinol and oxypurinol, and the spin-trapping agent PBN. Furthermore, deficiency of antioxidants (selenium, alpha-tocopherol, or catalase) exacerbates postischemic renal injury. These findings have been applied to renal transplantation in an attempt to decrease the incidence of posttransplantation acute renal failure. This is important because acute renal failure results in morbidity, increases hospital stay and the cost of transplantation, and complicates the use of cyclosporine. In porcine and in canine kidney transplantation, superoxide dismutase and allopurinol have provided renal protection. Transplantation is complicated because there may be prolonged hypoperfusion before harvesting plus a brief period of total ischemia during harvesting, followed by a prolonged period of cold ischemia and/or reperfusion, then followed by another brief period of ischemia and reperfusion during transplantation. Injury may occur at each of these phases by different mechanisms.
Insights
Antioxidants and free radical scavengers protect kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion injury. These agents show promise in reducing acute renal failure after kidney transplantation, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Nephrology
- Transplantation Immunology
Background:
- Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a significant complication in organ transplantation.
- Oxygen free radicals generated during reperfusion contribute to postischemic renal injury.
- Acute renal failure post-transplantation leads to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and higher costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the protective effects of free radical scavengers and antioxidants against I/R injury in kidneys.
- To evaluate the application of these agents in reducing acute renal failure following kidney transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies in various animal models (rat, dog, pig, rabbit, mouse) investigating antioxidant and free radical scavenger administration.
- Analysis of data on the efficacy of agents like superoxide dismutase, allopurinol, and others in preventing renal injury.
- Examination of findings in the context of kidney transplantation protocols.
Main Results:
- Numerous free radical scavengers and antioxidants demonstrate protective effects when administered before or during reperfusion of ischemic kidneys.
- Antioxidant deficiency exacerbates postischemic renal injury.
- Superoxide dismutase and allopurinol have shown renal protection in porcine and canine kidney transplantation models.
Conclusions:
- Free radical scavengers and antioxidants represent a viable strategy to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury in kidneys.
- Therapeutic application of these agents holds potential for decreasing the incidence of acute renal failure after kidney transplantation.
- Further research and clinical application are warranted to optimize protective strategies in renal transplantation.