Background/Aim: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs in renal transplantation, and it could be a risk factor for late renal allograft failure. Several exogenous antioxidants used in prevention of renal I/R injury. Multiple experimental studies demonstrated the antioxidant effect of Spirulina. This study focused on the effects of Spirulina on histopathology of kidney subjected to I/R injury.
Methods: Renal I/R was induced in male Sprague-Dwaley rats by occluding the left renal artery then right nephrectomty. Group I was sham operated rats; group II, control (non treated rats); and group III, Spirulina-treated rats (1000 mg/kg BW, orally. 7 days before I/R). Rats were sacrificed 1 & 3 days post reperfusion. The effects of Spirulina on both necrosis and regeneration of kidney tubules caused by renal I/R injury were assayed and scored.
Results: Spirulina pretreatment decrease the necrotic injury and improve tubular regeneration after 1 and 3days of renal I/R injury.
Conclusion: Spirulina decreased the necrotic activity index in rat kidney after I/R injury and help in tubular regeneration.