Oral omega-3 fatty acid for reduction of kidney dysfunction induced by reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of oral administration of omega-3 fatty acid on kidney functional disturbances, histological damages, and oxidative stress due to reperfusion injury.

Materials and methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats received a standard diet for 2 weeks. Through gavage, the rats in acute kidney failure and omega-3 groups received 4 mL normal saline or omega-3 fatty acid (0.4 g/kg) daily. After 2 weeks, the rats underwent surgery and renal ischemia on both sides. During the last 6 hours, the rats were transferred to the metabolic cage for urine sampling. At the end of the period, blood samples were obtained from the aorta and the kidneys were removed for hematoxylin-eosin staining, histological analysis, and oxidative stress measurement. The sham group also received normal saline, but the operation was done without renal ischemia, whereas the control group did not received any substances or operation.

Results: The decrease in glomerular filtration rate induced by reperfusion was relatively improved by omega-3 administration, which resulted in the decrease in plasma urea and creatinine concentrations. In addition, the relative excretion of sodium and potassium, and urine flow rate decreased in the omega-3 group as compared with the acute kidney failure group. The degrees of histologic damages and oxidative stress that had increased following reperfusion injury were also significantly lowered by omega-3 administration.

Conclusions: Preventive oral administration of omega-3 supplement may decrease histological damages, oxidative stress, and kidney dysfunction following reperfusion injury.