Pretreatment with sodium selenite alleviates inflammatory responses in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppressing the expression of NF-κb and miR-494

Background/objectives

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a significant role in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI). This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of pretreatment with sodium selenite on RIRI, emphasizing anti-inflammatory effects.

Method

A total of 24 male Wistar rats (200±20 g) were divided into four groups (six per each): 1- Sham (surgery without renal pedicle clamping), 2- Sham-Se (0.5 mg/kg sodium selenite for 7 consecutive days, ip), 3- RIRI (ischemia was induced by clamping the renal pedicle for 45 min), and 4- IRIR-Se (0.5 mg/kg sodium selenite for 7 consecutive days before I/R induction). All animals were sacrificed under anesthesia 24 h after I/R induction. Blood and tissue sample were collected for biochemical and histological analyses.

Results

The results showed that sodium selenite pretreatment significantly reduced the changes induced by the ischemia-reperfusion injury, including the reduction of serum Cr and BUN, decreased the renal tissue content of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and miR-494, and increased IL-10 and GPx content of kidney (P< 0.05). Also, sodium selenite pretreatment significantly reduced renal ischemia-reperfusion-induced histopathological changes.

Conclusion

Pretreatment with sodium selenite significantly improved ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal dysfunction and mitigated RIRI, probably regarding its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.