Metformin attenuated the inflammation after renal ischemia/reperfusion and suppressed apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell in rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of metformin on renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation after kidney ischemia/reperfusion in rats. METHODS: Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham (S), Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and Metformin (E). Before establishing the I/R model, group E was administered metformin for three days, while groups S and I/R were administered equal volumes of saline. After three days, a right nephrectomy was performed on all groups, after which the left kidneys of groups E and I/R rats were subjected to 45 min renal ischemia. Renal function, histology, and cell apoptosis were assessed. AMPK, pAMPK, COX-2, and Caspase 3 were also detected. RESULTS: Compared to I/R group, Caspase 3 and COX-2 levels were decreased in group E. COX-2, Caspase3 and pAMPK levels were higher in groups E and I/R than in group S. The pAMPK level of group E was higher than that of I/R group, while COX-2 and caspase 3 were lower in group E than they were in the other groups. There was no significant difference between E and I/R groups in AMPK levels. CONCLUSION: Metformin preconditioning attenuated the inflammation caused by ischemia/reperfusion and inhibited the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells.