Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the main causes of acute kidney injury (AKI) which is associated with increased mortality and limited treatment. Therefore, the therapeutic effect of erythropoietin (EPO) in a rat model of IRI was evaluated by serum analysis of urea and creatinine, using light microscopy and immunohistochemichal technique. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by clamping both renal pedicles for 40 minutes and EPO was injected in treated group once intraperitonally immediately after IRI. Rats were sacrificed 48 hours and 1 week after intervention, and then renal sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, PAS, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemichally for CD34. Impaired kidney manifestations by IRI had been improved by EPO including reduced urea and creatinine levels, improved histological architecture of kidney and increased CD34 immunopositive cells. These results suggested a potential renoprotective capacity of EPO in AKI.