Splenectomy protects the kidneys against ischemic reperfusion injury in the rat.

Toshiya Hiroyoshi, Masahiro Tsuchida, Koichi Uchiyama, Koki Fujikawa, Takahiro Komatsu, Yoshihiro Kanaoka, Hideyasu Matsuyama

Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University,Yamaguchi, Japan. k012um@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp

Transplant immunology 2012 Aug

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Ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury of the kidney is closely associated with delayed graft function, increased acute rejection, and late allograft dysfunction. Splenectomy reduced hepatic I/R injury by inhibiting leukocyte infiltration in the liver, release of TNF-α, cell apoptosis, and expression of caspase-3. Thus, we investigated the effects of splenectomy on renal I/R injury in the rat. Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: sham operation (sham group), sham operation+splenectomy (sham+SPLN group), right nephrectomy followed by clamping the left renal pedicle for 30min (I/R 30 group), and I/R 30+splenectomy (I/R 30+SPLN group). Renal function was determined by measuring the concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (S-Cr). The serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured as the marker for inflammation. Left kidneys were obtained 24h after reperfusion. TUNEL assay was assessed for cell apoptosis. Spleens were obtained immediately (0-h group) and 3h after reperfusion (3-h group). The removed spleens were histologically evaluated. The BUN and S-Cr levels were significantly lower in the I/R 30+SPLN group than in the I/R 30 group (p<0.05 for both). Apoptotic cells were significantly lower in the I/R 30+SPLN group than in the I/R 30 group. The serum level of TNF-α, which was increased after I/R, was significantly lower in the I/R 30+SPLN group than in the I/R 30 group (p<0.05). Spleen weights were significantly lower in the 3-h group than in the 0-h group (p<0.05). These results suggest that splenectomy reduces renal I/R injury, and this effect may occur by an anti-inflammatory pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Citation

Toshiya Hiroyoshi, Masahiro Tsuchida, Koichi Uchiyama, Koki Fujikawa, Takahiro Komatsu, Yoshihiro Kanaoka, Hideyasu Matsuyama. Splenectomy protects the kidneys against ischemic reperfusion injury in the rat. Transplant immunology. 2012 Aug;27(1):8-11