ENHANCED RENAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURY IN THE RAT WITH OBSTRUCTIVE-JAUNDICE

Background/Aims: To investigate the susceptibility of kidneys to ische mia-reperfusion injury under obstructive jaundice. Materials and Metho ds: Bile ducts of male rats were Ligated for five days, right kidneys were removed, and vascular clamps were placed across Left renal arteri es for 30 minutes. Results: Twenty-four hours later, ischemia-reperfus ion produced renal injury in jaundiced rats as shown by increased seru m creatinine and urea nitrogen levels. Histological observation showed tubular damages. These changes were minimal after ischemia-reperfusio n in. control rats. Renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance conte nts were increased after bile duct ligation, which did not change afte r ischemia-reperfusion. On the other hand, ischemia-reperfusion produc ed a significant increase in renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substa nce contents in control rats. Renal glutathione contents were increase d two fold after bile duct ligation. and they were significantly decre ased by ischemia-reperfusion. Conclusions: Kidneys in obstructive jaun dice appear to be susceptible to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Although protective roles of GSH is suggested, the role of oxygen radicals in this type of renal injury remains to be further elucidated.