Oxymatrine ameliorates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury from oxidative stress through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

PURPOSE: To investigate if oxymatrine pretreatment could ameliorate renal I/R injury induced in rats and explore the possible role of oxymatrine in Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. METHODS: Unilaterally nephrectomized rats were insulted by I/R in their left kidney. Twenty four rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, I/R + saline-treated group, I/R + OMT-treated group. Oxymatrine or vehicle solution was administered intraperitoneally injected 60 min before renal ischemia, respectively. Renal function, histology, makers of oxidative stress, cell apoptosis and Nrf2/HO-1 expressions were assessed. RESULTS: Oxymatrine pretreatment exhibited an improved renal functional recovery, alleviated histological injury and oxidative stress, inhibiting tubular apoptosis, and accompanied by upregulated the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 proteins. CONCLUSION: Oxymatrine may attenuate renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, and this renoprotective effect may be through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.