Nephroprotective role of resveratrol in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury: a preclinical study in Sprague-Dawley rats

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a significant contributor to renal dysfunction, acute kidney injury (AKI), and associated morbidity and mortality. Resveratrol, a polyphenol and phytoalexin, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. This study investigates the nephroprotective potential of resveratrol in a rat model of renal IRI.

Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Sham, IRI, DMSO, and Resveratrol. The Sham group underwent identical procedures without renal pedicle clamping, while the IRI group experienced 30 min of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. The DMSO group received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia, and the Resveratrol group received 30 mg/kg resveratrol intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia. Biochemical parameters (Urea, creatinine, IL-1β, NF-κβ, SOD, GSH, Bcl-2, and caspase-3) and histopathological changes were assessed.

IRI caused a substantial increase in serum creatinine, Urea, IL-1β, NF-κβ, and caspase-3 levels, while simultaneously decreasing SOD, GSH, and Bcl-2 levels. Resveratrol treatment mitigated these effects by lowering inflammatory and apoptotic markers, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and improving histological outcomes.

Resveratrol demonstrates significant nephroprotective effects in renal IRI, primarily through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.