The effect of gradually increased blood flow on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat kidney

Background Gradually increased blood flow to the ischemic rat kidney was studied to assess the ability to diminish ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods The left renal artery and vein were isolated in 25 rats. Microclamps were applied for 45 minutes and were released at once (group II) or gradually (group III). Renal arterial blood flow and K+ activity were measured. Bilateral kidneys were harvested for histopathology and for malonyldealdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels. Results Increased K+ activity returned to preischemic values faster in group III than in group II. No statistically significant difference existed in malonyldealdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels; histopathologic scoring showed less tissue damage in group III (P < .05). Contralateral kidney samples showed signs of ischemia in group II. Conclusions Gradually increased blood flow to the ischemic kidney decreases ischemic changes. Ischemic insult to 1 kidney causes histopathologically detectable changes to the contralateral kidney, which can be diminished by gradual reperfusion.