Mitigative role of cysteamine against unilateral renal reperfusion injury in Wistar rats

Abstract

Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is unavoidable during kidney transplant and it is responsible for delayed or non-function after kidney transplantation. Cysteamine is the standard drug in the management of nephropathic cystinosis and its extra-renal complications. Thus, we designed this study to investigate its potential against renal reperfusion injury. Results Significant elevation of H 2 O 2, MDA, and nitrite and reduced GPx, GSH, and protein thiol in the Ischemia-reperfusion injury rats was reversed by cysteamine (50 and 100 mg/kg). Serum MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, creatinine, and AOPP were significantly elevated in IRI while rats treated with cysteamine revealed a significant decrease ( p < 0.05) in the activities of these pro-inflammatory and renal injury markers. Conclusion Based on its activity against inflammation, apoptosis, and free radical-induced stress, cysteamine has great potential to be used as a kidney transplant pre-operative drug to prevent renal reperfusion injury.