The effect of the Ca entry blocker nitrendipine, the antioxidant super
oxide dismutase (SOD), and a combination of nitrendipine and superoxid
e dismutase on postischemic renal function was studied in four groups
(n = 24) of rats. The rats in group 1 (n = 6) were the ischemic contro
l and received 10 mL of 0.9% NaCl. Group II (n = 6) received SOD 7.0 m
g/kg. Group III (n 6) received nitrendipine 1 mg/kg. Group IV (n = 6)
received nitrendipine 1 mg/kg and SOD 7 mg/kg. After administration, b
oth kidneys were rendered ischemic by crossclamping the renal vessels
for 60 min. Comparison of 24-h creatinine clearance (C-Cr) for 3 days
after reversal of ischemia revealed: (a) nitrendipine alone was the mo
st effective in preserving renal function (p <.05); (b) SOD provided s
ome degree of improvement, but only on day 3 (p <.05); (c) a similar r
esult was detected using a combination of nitrendipine and SOD (p <.05
); (d) there was no significant difference between SOD and nitrendipin
e nor between SOD and the combination of nitrendipine/SOD; (e) there w
as a significant improvement with nitpendipine when compared to the co
mbination of nitrendipine/SOD (P <.05).