Xuezhikang ameliorates contrast media-induced nephropathy in rats via suppression of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the preventive effect of xuezhikang (XZK) to replace atorvastatin on the contrast media-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI).

METHODS: The male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (sham), injected with normal saline; group 2 (XZK), treated with XZK; group 3 contrast media (CM), injected with CM; group 4 (CM + ATO), injected with CM + pretreatment with atorvastatin; group 5 (CM + XZK), injected with CM + pretreatment with XZK. Twenty-four hours after injection with normal saline or CM, the blood sample and the kidneys were collected for the measurement of biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, nitric oxide production, inflammatory parameters, as well as renal histopathology and apoptosis detection.

RESULTS: Our results indicated that XZK restored the renal function by reducing serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr), depressing renal malondialdehyde (MDA), increasing renal NO production, decreasing TNF-ɑ and IL-6 expression, attenuating renal pathological changes and inhibiting the apoptosis of renal tubular cells.

CONCLUSION: XZK's therapeutic effect is similar, or even better than atorvastatin at the same effectual dose in some parts.