Consequences of Ischemic Preconditioning of Kidney: Comparing between Male and Female Rats

OBJECTIVE(S): Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a leading cause of kidney transplantation failure, and ischemic-preconditioning (IPC) is a protective method against the IRI. In the present study, the defensive effect of IPC on rats’ kidney was investigated and more importantly the differences between two genders were appraised. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four groups: group A (8 male IR), B (8 female IR), C (8 male IPC) and D (8 female IPC). Ischemia was induced by clamping of left renal arteries for 45 min in groups A and B. Rats in groups C and D experienced four cycles of 4 min arterial clamping followed by 11 min of de-clamping prior to the final 45 min of ischemia. 24 hr later, serum was provided to assess the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values. Also, renal tissues were obtained for histological measurements. RESULTS: Induction of IPC in both male and female rats led to significant decrease in creatinine levels in comparison with sham groups (P<0.01). The same results were seen in BUN levels (P<0.01). However, there were no significant difference between two genders. Besides, histological protective effects of IPC was proved especially in female rats (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Findings of our study confirmed that renal IPC reduces the damages in both genders especially females. Thus, the IPC procedure seems to be a useful method mainly in females.