Enhanced renal susceptibility to ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat with obstructive jaundice.

Background/Aims: To investigate the susceptibility of kidneys to ischemia-reperfusion injury under obstructive jaundice. Materials and Methods: Bile ducts of male rats were ligated for five days, right kidneys were removed, and vascular clamps were placed across left renal arteries for 30 minutes. Results: Twenty-four hours later, ischemia-reperfusion produced renal injury in jaundiced rats as shown by increased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels. Histological observation showed tubular damages. These changes were minimal after ischemia-reperfusion in control rats. Renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance contents were increased after bile duct ligation, which did not change after ischemia-reperfusion. On the other hand, ischemia-reperfusion produced a significant increase in renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance contents in control rats. Renal glutathione contents were increased two fold after bile duct ligation and they were significantly decreased by ischemia-reperfusion. Conclusions: Kidneys in obstructive jaundice 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.