ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In ischemia-reperfusion induced renal injuries, cytokines, chemoattractant chemokines, adhesion molecules and nitric oxide play an important role. alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine so the therapeutic effect of alpha-MSH on an ischemia-reperfusion induced acute renal failure is to be evaluated. METHODS: 40 male Spraque-Dawley rats were prepared for the experiment, they were classified into three classes (Sham, ischemic control and alpha-MSH injection). Both renal pedicles were clamped for 45 minutes. alpha-MSH (50 microgram) was injected intravenously three times, immediately before ischemia and reperfusion and 18 hour after reperfusion. Serum creatinine and histologic changes were analyzed between groups (Sham (n=6), ischemic control group (n=15), and alpha-MSH group (n=19)). RESULTS: Serum creatinine level decreased significantly at 24 hours after reperfusion in alpha-MSH treated animals (SCr24 0.78+/-0.23 mg/dL, 4.21+/-1.14 mg/dL, 3.01+/-1.19 mg/dL, repectively (P=0.008)), especially serum creatinine level at 48 hours after reperfusion much more dicreased in alpha-MSH group (SCr48 0.67+/-0.16 mg/dL, 4.21+/-2.03 mg/dL, 1.15+/-1.11 mg/dL, repectively (P=0.004)). Tubular neccrosis and neutrophil infiltration decreased signigicantly in alpha-MSH treated group (P=0.001). Mortality was noted 33.3% only at ischemic conrol group. CONCLUSION: we demonstrate the fact that alpha-MSH has protective role on ischemic renal injury and improves survival rates.