THE EFFECT OF NICARDIPINE ON RENAL FUNCTIONS FOLLOWING 72-HOUR COLD ISCHEMIA

The aim of the study was to investigate the cytoprotective effect of a calcium channel blocker, nicardipine, on altered renal function due t o cold ischemia for 72 h. The experiments were performed on isolated p erfused kidneys from adult rabbits. Kidneys were perfused with either standard Euro-Collins (EC) solution (n = 7) or EC containing nicardipi ne (n = 6) and then incubated with the same preservation solutions in a beaker exposed to cold ischemia for 72 h at +4 degrees C. In the con trol group the same procedure was applied to untreated kidneys (n = 6) which were exposed to cold ischemia for 30 min. Vascular responses an d urinary output to noradrenaline, angiotensin II, endothelin-1, acety lcholine and sympathetic stimulation were assessed as the functional a ctivities of the kidney. The responses of the preserved kidneys were c ompared following cold ischemic conditions. The results indicate that the addition of nicardipine to EC solution protects the vascular endot helial regulatory function and urine excretion; therefore, dihydropyri dine calcium channel blockers might be useful for kidney preservation.