Evaluation of ischemia after ESWL: detection of free oxygen radical scavenger enzymes in renal parenchyma subjected to high-energy shock waves.

To evaluate the degree of ischemic formation at the tissue level after high-energy shock wave (HESW) application in a time- and dose-dependent manner, an experimental study in rabbits was performed. Following varying numbers of HESWs (1,000-2,000-3,000 shock waves) under fluoroscopic localization, treated kidneys were removed, by assessing tissue concentrations of two different free-radical scavenger enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) the degree of formation of free oxygen radicals (i.e. ischemia) was evaluated. Evaluation of our results showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in tissue scavenger enzyme levels (i.e. formation of free oxygen radicals) after 24 h following HESW application. However, results obtained 7 days after ESWL demonstrated disappearance of ischemia with normalization of tissue enzyme levels (p > 0.05).