Histological and biochemical study on the protective effectof losartan on rat renal cortex in experimentally induced liverfailure

IntroductionHepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an unavoidable problem during liversurgery that often results in acute liver failure, with its complications. Losartan maybe beneficial in such conditions.ObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate the histological and biochemical alterationsthat could occur in the renal cortex in case of liver cell failure and to assess thepossible protective role of losartan.Materials and methodsThirty male albino rats were equally divided into three groups: group I (control)was equally subdivided into sham operated-untreated (Ca) and sham-operated,losartan-treated (Cb) subgroups. In group II (operated), rats were subjected toexperimentally induced I/R. In group III (losartan treated), rats were subjected to asurgical procedure and treated with losartan (5 mg/kg body weight). At the end ofthe experiment, blood samples were obtained for the biochemical assay. The liverwas processed for assessment of antioxidant markers and for light microscopeexamination. Both kidneys were processed for light and electron microscopeexaminations. The results were morphometrically and statistically analyzed.ResultsLight microscope examination of the operated group indicated shrunken glomeruliwith wide Bowman’s space. Some tubules were distorted with cytoplasmic vacuolesand cellular casts, whereas others were dilated. The interstitium contained anacidophilic material, increased collagen fibers, cellular infiltration, and congestedblood vessels. Ultrastructurally, podocytes had small electron-dense nuclei and fusedfoot processes. Some renal tubules had small heterochromatic nuclei, mitochondriawith disrupted cristae, and small electron-dense bodies. The biochemical results ofthe same group showed the occurrence of oxidative stress and deterioration in liverand kidney functions. The treated group showed preserved structure of the renalcorpuscles and tubules.ConclusionLiver I/R adversely affected the renal cortex histologically and biochemically. Losartancould be promising as an adjuvant therapy before hepatic surgery for rescuing thekidney from hepatic I/R injury.