Pravastatin and its effects on renal reperfusion injury in an experimental model in dogs

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine if pretreatment with pravastatin would attenuate acute renal dysfunction that occurs following ischemic reperfusion injury in an experimental model in dogs. Twenty mongrel dogs were randomized into two groups [n = 10 per group]. In addition, a control group was also included in which bilateral renal ischemic arterial clamping was applied for one hour before which blood samples were taken for baseline biochemical evaluation and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha] estimation. Declamping was done for 15 min and another blood sample for TNF alpha estimation was taken. Then, the animal's abdomen was closed and the animal awakened from anesthesia. At 48 hours later, the animal was re-operated upon and the left kidney was harvested for histopathologic examination and blood samples were taken for the previously mentioned tests. Another group of ten dogs underwent the same procedure after five days preoperative treatment with pravastatin [0.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days]. The results showed that pravastatin may play a role in modulating renal impairment following aortic, renovascular or transplantation surgery allowing early reduction form an ischemic reperfusion injury