Estradiol and Raloxifene Protect Ovariectomized Mice from Acute Kidney Injury via G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor-Mediated Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2/Heme Oxygenase-1 Activation

Renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury. Estradiol (E2) and the selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene (RAL) reduce organ dysfunction, potentially via heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)–mediated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined whether E2 and RAL protect against IRI through G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)–dependent activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/HO-1 pathway in ovariectomized (OVX) mice; OVX IRI mice were pretreated for four weeks with E2, RAL, RAL + ML385 (Nrf2 inhibitor), or RAL + G15 (GPER antagonist). Renal histology, inflammatory and oxidative markers, and nuclear Nrf2 levels were assessed; OVX IRI increased interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH); nuclear Nrf2 was low in sham and OVX IRI groups. E2 and RAL improved renal function and histology, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, restored GPER expression, increased nuclear Nrf2, and upregulated HO-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Co-treatment with ML385 or G15 reversed RAL’s benefits, reduced nuclear Nrf2, and worsened injury; E2 and RAL exert renoprotective effects against OVX-related renal IRI in a manner consistent with GPER-dependent Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which suggests involvement of the downstream antioxidant gene activation pathway.