Sodium hydrogen sulfide may not protect the kidney against ischemia/reperfusion damage in male and female rats.

Background and purpose: Renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is a pathologic phenomenon that caused to increase risk of mortality. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) on renal IR injury in male and female rats.

Experimental approach: Fifty-eight male and female rats were randomized into 4 groups of control, sham, IR, and IR + NaHS. The IR was performed by 45 min of ischemia by vessel clamping followed by 24 h reperfusion. The NaHS (100 µmol/kg) treatment was applied 10 min prior to IR. Finally, after 24 h of reperfusion, the measurements were performed.

Findings/results: The serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, tissue level of malondialdehyde, and kidney tissue damage score (KTDS) were increased by IR. Urine volume, creatinine, and urea clearances decreased by IR. NaHS administration improved some parameters in males but exacerbated KTDS and serum markers related to renal function.

Conclusions and implications: Our data demonstrated that NaHS didn't protect female rats against renal IR injury. In males, it has null effects or just a few protective effects via antioxidant activity.