Attenuation of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by açaí extract preconditioning in a rat model

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is highly associated with morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis play pivotal roles in the development of renal dysfunction following renal I/R. Experimental studies have reported the effectiveness of many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds against renal I/R injury. On the other hand, açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart. Palmae, Arecaceae) has recently gained considerable appreciation as a natural source of antioxidants. However, the effect of açaí extract has not been studied before on renal I/R. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the possible mechanisms of renal injury attenuation by açaí extract in a rat renal I/R model.

To achieve the aim of the study, rats were administered açaí extract at two dose levels (500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days before bilateral renal I/R induction. Serum and kidneys were isolated and used for subsequent biochemical analysis.

The present data showed that açai extract significantly and dose-dependently attenuated I/R-induced renal damage. It suppressed the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and renal tissue content of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). In addition, it inhibited serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Moreover, renal contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), caspase-3, collagen IV, and endothelin-1 were reduced, while renal interleukin-10 (IL-10) content was increased by açaí extract administration to rats before renal I/R induction.

Açaí extract ameliorated bilateral I/R-induced renal injury in rats in a dose-dependent manner.