Gastrodin Pretreatment Alleviates Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the possible effect of gastrodin in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and the mechanisms. METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group, saline-treated IRI group, and gastrodin-treated IRI group. Gastrodin or 0.9% saline (300 mg/kg/day) was intragastrically administrated for 8 days before operation. We analyzed renal function and histological change. The malondialdehyde level, antioxidant enzymes' activities, and markers of inflammation and apoptosis were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA on ranks. RESULTS: Gastrodin pretreatment improved IRI-induced renal dysfunction and histologic injury. Mechanistically, gastrodin reversed the elevation of malondialdehyde level and the reduction of antioxidant enzymes' activities. Gastrodin also reduced the elevated myeloperoxidase activity, TNF-α and IL-1β levels, and the activation of p38 MAPK. Moreover, gastrodin-treated rats exhibited a dramatic reduction in renal tubular apoptosis, along with a decrease in caspase-3 activation and an increase in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. CONCLUSION: Gastrodin pretreatment may alleviate renal IRI via the amelioration of oxidative injury, inflammatory response, and renal tubular apoptosis.