Ischemia-reperfusion induced acute renal failure in the rat is ameliorated by the spin-trapping agent alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN).

The spin-trapping agent alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) reduced the ischemia-reperfusion induced acute renal failure in the rat. Renal ischemia was produced in unilateral nephrectomized rats by complete occlusion of the left renal artery for 60 min. Perfusion of the kidney was then reestablished, and the rats were sacrificed 48 h later. PBN (100 mg/kg i.p.) administered 30 min prior to renal artery occlusion significantly reduced the increase in serum creatinine and urea and renal failure index, as well as the decrease in urine/plasma creatinine ratio and creatinine clearance compared to saline-injected ischemic rats. PBN injected to control rats had no effect on these parameters. These data support the hypothesis of an involvement of reactive free radicals in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion induced acute renal failure in the rat and suggest that PBN may be a useful agent for the prevention of renal ischemia-reperfusion damage.