BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a clinically common pathologic process defined as the inability to improve neuronal function. This study aimed to investigate the pathological mechanism of IRI and to explore effects of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on autophagy and inflammatory response in IRI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a Sham group, a kidney transplant group (Trans), and a kidney transplant plus HBO treatment group (Trans+HBO). The kidney was harvested from the donor and transplanted to recipient rats according to a previously reported study. Rats were anesthetized using pentobarbital-natrium, and the kidney was resected and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Serum creatinine (Scr) was detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) level was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). LC-3 was examined using indirect immunofluorescence assay and immunochemistry assay. LC-3 mRNA levels were analyzed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR).

RESULTS: The kidney transplant IRI model was successfully established. Scr and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the Trans group (P<0.05). HBO significantly enhanced Scr and IL-6 levels. Scr was positively correlated with IL-6 levels (r-0.607, P<0.05). HBO increased LC-3 protein and mRNA expression in kidney-transplanted rats compared to the Sham and Trans group (P<0.05). Moreover, immunofluorescence assay also showed that LC-3 protein mainly distributes along renal tubular epithelial cells in a linear manner.

CONCLUSIONS: Autophagy dysfunction and inflammatory response after renal transplantation play important roles in processes of IRI. HBO treatment protects against the renal injury of IRI in renal tissues at the early stage, which may be triggered by the IL-6 pathway.

Keywords: Hyperbaric Oxygenation