British Journal of Urology, vol.80, no.SUPPL. 2, pp.150, 1997 (SCI-Expanded)
Objcctivc:This study investigated the protective effect of vcrapamil, a calcium channel blocker and alpha-tocopherol, vitamin E, against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat. Materials:Wistar rats were subjected to 60 minutes of warm ischemia by cross clamping the whole renal pedicles bilaterally. Each drug was given intravenously at the end of the ischemie period at reperfusion. The animals were divided into four groups; Group 1, ischemic control receiving physiological saline, 0.5 ml/kg; Group 2, verapamil 1.25 mg/kg; Group 3, alpha-tocopherol 100 mg/kg; Group 4, sham group. Post-ischemic evaluation was done at 48 hours. Renal damage was assessed by kidney function tests (serum creatinine, blood urea and creatinine clearance). Lipid peroxidation was measured in plasma using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. Results: Bilateral warm renal ischemia resulted in a deleterious effect on kidney function tests. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation was increased significantly in this group of rats when compared to the sham group (Group 4). Administration of verapamil at the onset of reperfusion prevented the increase in lipid peroxidation and offered beneficial effect on renal tubular function in Group 2. Alpha-tocopherol pre-treatment resulted in lower blood urea levels and increased creatinine clearance in Group 2 when compared to the ischemie control group of rats. However, the increase in lipid peroxidation due to ischemia/reperfusion was only modestly prevented by alpha-tocopherol administration in this model. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study suggest a better protective role of verapamil than alpha-tocopherol in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.