Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
BACKGROUND: The production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species are important factors contributing to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thus scavenging of the excess free radicals can be an important therapeutic approach. Beta carotene, a carotenoid pigment has a potent antioxidant property. The present study examined the effect of beta carotene administration on the level of renal content of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation following ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat kidney. METHODS: Male adult Wistar rats (250-300 g) were exposed to 45 min of renal ischemia followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Beta carotene (10, 30 and 100 mg kg(-1)) or vehicle was administered for 5 days prior to ischemia. Renal content of antioxidants and the level of lipid peroxidation were measured after the reperfusion period. RESULTS: Our results showed that ischemia/reperfusion injury increased lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001) and decreased antioxidant (p < 0.001) in renal tissue. Pre-administration of beta carotene could attenuate these alterations (p < 0.05-p < 0.001), although not at all doses. Since beta carotene administration improved renal lipid peroxidation and antioxidants, it seems that beta carotene protects renal tissue against ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative damage.
Hosseini et al. (Mon,) studied this question.