Protective Effects of Butyrate on Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

BACKGROUND

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) usually causes acute kidney injury. There is an urgent need to develop an effective agent to prevent renal IRI. This study aimed to examine the effect of butyrate on renal IRI in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups (10 rats in each group): the sham group, the IRI group, and the butyrate group. Rats were injected intravenously with 300 mg/kg of sodium butyrate in the butyrate group and with a saline solution in the sham group and IRI group 30 min before renal ischemia. After 24 h of reperfusion, renal function and histologic damage were examined. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay, in situ apoptosis examination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemical assay, and Western blot were performed as well.

RESULTS

Butyrate pretreatment significantly reduced renal dysfunction and histologic damage induced by renal IRI. Butyrate pretreatment caused a significant attenuation of neutrophil infiltration, which was reflected by the reduction of renal MPO activity. Butyrate also reduced apoptotic tubular cell death and improved caspase-3 activation. The expression of TNF-α was decreased following butyrate pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Butyrate pretreatment protects rats from renal IRI by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis. Therefore, butyrate may be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing renal IRI.