Protective effects of curcumin on kidney tissue in ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Aim: Kidney damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is a serious clinical problem. Many studies have emphasized the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Curcumin. Material and Methods: Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into three groups. The sham group was the group in which only laparotomy was performed, the IR group was the group in which the infrarenal aorta was clamped after laparotomy and ischemia-reperfusion was created, and the IR+ curcumin group was the group in which intraperitoneal curcumin was given 1 hour before the procedure and the same procedures were repeated with the IR group. After creating the IR, blood and kidney tissue were taken from the rats and biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed. Results: Potassium (p=0.005), urea (p=0.050), and blood urea nitrogen (p=0.050) levels were higher in the IR+curcumin group. While total antioxidant status was found to be high in the IR+curcumin group (p=0.021), there was no difference in total oxidant status across the groups (p=0.069). Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were found to be higher in the IR group (p=0.014, p=0.022, respectively). Tumour necrosis factor-α was higher in the IR group than in other groups (p=0.020). Interferon-γ did not differ across groups (p=0.140). In the histopathological examination, the IR group had more damage to the glomerulus and tubular epithelial cells than the other groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Curcumin, despite its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, had no protective effect on renal functions in IR-induced kidney injury. It was found that it suppresses the inflammatory response and is effective in preserving renal tissue structure.