Intrarenal oxygenation determines kidney function during the recovery from an ischemic insult

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant clinical problem associated with poor outcome. The kidney, due to its inhomogeneous blood flow, is particularly susceptible to changes in oxygen delivery, and intrarenal hypoxia is a hallmark of AKI and progression to chronic kidney disease. However, the role of intrarenal hypoxia per se in the recovery from an ischemic insult is presently unclear. The present study was designed to investigate 1) the role of systemic hypoxia in the acute progression and recovery of AKI and 2) whether increased intrarenal oxygenation improves recovery from an ischemic insult. Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral warm renal ischemia for 45 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion under systemic hypoxia (10% inspired oxygen), normoxia (21% inspired oxygen), or hyperoxia (60% inspired oxygen). Intrarenal oxygen tension was successfully manipulated by altering the inspired oxygen. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) before the ischemic insult was independent of intrarenal oxygen tension. GFR during the recovery from the ischemic insult was significantly lower compared with baseline in all groups (3 ± 1%, 13 ± 1%, and 30 ± 11% of baseline for hypoxia, normoxia, and hyperoxia, respectively). However, GFR was significantly higher in hyperoxia than hypoxia (P < 0.05, hypoxia vs. hyperoxia). During recovery, renal blood flow was only reduced in hyperoxia, as a consequence of increased renal vascular resistance. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that renal function during the recovery from an ischemic insult is dependent on intrarenal oxygen availability, and normobaric hyperoxia treatment has the potential to protect kidney function.