Does Dexpantenol Protect the Kidney from Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury?

OBJECTIVE: Tissue injury occurs following reperfusion after creation of ischemia. Plenty of chemical agents have been shown to protect from such an injury. We planned to evaluate the protective effect of dexpanthenol (dxp) in ischemia-reperfusion injury. MATERIAL and METHODS: 24 adult rats were used and divided into 3 groups. A right nephrectomy was performed through a median laparotomy incision in all groups. Additionally, in group 1 (sham group), left nephrectomy was made 6 hours later without creation of ischemia. In group 2 (Saline group), the left kidney was left ischemic for 1 hour and reperfusion was established for 6 hours. Saline was administered intraperitoneally thirty minutes before creation of ischemia and just before reperfusion. In group 3 (Dexpanthenol group), the left kidney was left ischemic for 1 hour and reperfusion was established for 6 hours. Dxp (500 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally thirty minutes before creation of ischemia and just before reperfusion. A left nephrectomy was performed at the end of the 6 hours of reperfusion. Nephrectomy specimens were histopathologically analysed for congestion, inflammation and necrosis. Tissue NO, glutathione reductase, catalase and MDA levels were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant differences between the groups histopathologically or biochemically. CONCLUSION:Dexpanthenol is the biologically active form of pantothenic acid and has an antioxidant effect. Our study was not in correlation with the literature regarding a protective effect of dxp on various organs via its antioxidant effect.