Fimasartan ameliorates renal ischemia reperfusion injury via modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic cascades in a rat model

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can be defined as changes in the functions and structures of the tissues resulting from the restoration of blood after a period of ischemia. This study aimed to assess the potential protective effect of Fimasartan (angiotensin receptor antagonist) in the bilateral renal IRI in male rats through its potential effect on renal functions, modulation of the inflammatory cascade, oxidative stress, and apoptotic effect. The animals were equally assigned into four groups. The sham (negative control) group was exposed to surgical conditions without induction of IRI. The control group was exposed to ischemia by occluding the renal pedicles by clamps for 30 min, followed by restoration of blood for 2h. The vehicle-treated group received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by intraperitoneal injection (IP) 30 minutes before clamping. Fimasartan-treated group: rats pretreated with Fimasartan a dose of 3 mg/kg IP; this was half hour before occluding the renal pedicles. Animals were then exposed to 30 min ischemia (clamping the renal pedicles) followed by 2h reperfusion by releasing the clamps. Blood samples were collected to examine the levels of serum urea and creatinine. Renal tissue was used to measure the levels of cytokines (TNFα, IL-6) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the levels of Bax, caspase 3, and Bcl-2. Histopathological analyses were performed to detect the parenchymal injury. The present study shows that pretreatment with Fimasartan improves kidney function through its effects on oxidative stress, cytokines, and apoptotic markers.