A potential protective factor against renal Ischemia-reperfusion damage: D-carvone

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury-induced renal failure is a major cause of death and morbidity. Unfortunately, there is currently no proven protective therapy. The aim of the study is to investigate the protective effect of D-carvone against the renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR) injury.

The study was conducted with 24 male Wistar-Albino rats. Rats were divided into three groups: Sham, RIR, and RIR + D-carvone (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally daily for 15 days. ELISA was used to measure the levels of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), Ischemia-Modified Albumin (IMA), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and IL-10. Aebi's spectrophotometric method was used to measure the levels of Catalase (CAT), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (Reduced Form) (GSH), and Myeloperoxidase (MPO). Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) was computed, and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS) levels were also assessed. Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), caspase-3, and Microtubule-associated protein 1 A/1B-light chain 3B (LC3B) were quantified using immunohistochemical and histological methods.

TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, NGAL, MDA, MPO, TOS, OSI, and IMA levels decreased significantly in the treatment group, while IL-10, TAS, GSH, and CAT levels increased. LC3B, NFκB, and Caspase-3 levels, which increased with RIR damage, decreased significantly in the treatment group. Mild congestion and necrosis were observed in the kidney tissues in the treatment group compared to the RIR group.

D-carvone decreases oxidative stress and protects against kidney damage by having anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and autophagy inhibitory actions against IR damage. Based on the results, D-carvone may be a potential protective agent in therapeutic settings.