Purpose: In ischemia-reperfusion induced renal injuries, cytokines, chemoattractant chemokines, adhesion molecules and nitric oxide play an important role. α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine so the therapeutic effect of α-MSH on an ischemia-reperfusion induced acute renal failure is to be evaluated.
Methods: 40 male Spraque-Dawley rats were prepared for the experiment, they were classified into three classes (Sham, ischemic control and α-MSH injection). Both renal pedicles were clamped for 45 minutes. α-MSH (50㎍) was injected intravenously three times, immediately before ischemia and reperfusion and 18 hour after reperfusion. Serum creatinine and histologic changes were analyzed between groups (Sham (n=6), ischemic control group (n=15), and α-MSH group (n=19)).
Results: Serum creatinine level decreased significantly at 24 hours after reperfusion in α-MSH treated animals (SCr24 0.78±0.23㎎/dL 4.21±1.14㎎/dL, 3.01±1.19㎎/dL, repectively (P=0.008)), especially serum creatinine level at 48 hours after reperfusion much more dicreased in α-MSH group (SCr48 0.67±0.16㎎/dL, 4.21±2.03㎎/dL, 1.15±1.11㎎/dL, repectively (P=0.004)). Tubular neccrosis and neutrophil infiltration decreased signigicantly in α-MSH treated group (P=0.001). Mortality was noted 33.3% only at ischemic conrol group.
Conclusion: we demonstrate the fact that α-MSH has protective role on ischemic renal injury and improves survival rates.