Effect of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren in the prevention of experimental contrast-induced nephropathy in the rat.
BACKGROUND
Renal vasoconstriction, activated by the renin-angiotensin system, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, for the prophylaxis of experimental CIN in the rat.


METHODS
Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups of 8 rats each, namely the control (C), aliskiren (A), contrast media (CM) and aliskiren plus contrast media (ACM) groups. Aliskiren was given orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day once daily for 5 consecutive days. CIN was induced by intravenous administration of indomethacin, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and high-osmolar contrast medium meglumine amidotrizoate. Renal function parameters, kidney histology and tubular expression of vascular endothelial growth factor were determined.


RESULTS
Mean serum creatinine was significantly lower (p < 0.001) and mean creatinine clearance was higher (p < 0.001) in the ACM group compared with the CM group. However, there were no differences between the ACM and CM groups in terms of tubular necrosis, proteinaceous casts, medullary congestion and vascular endothelial growth factor expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary data seem to suggest a potential role of aliskiren for the prophylaxis of CIN in an experimental rat model.
Department of Gastroenterology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Alla Eldeen
AE
Kedrah
Elif
E
Ari
Yesim
Y
Alahdab
Cuma Bulent
CB
Gul
Beyza
B
Macunluoglu
Aydin
A
Atakan
Ebru
E
Asicioglu
Fulya
F
Cakalagaoglu
Mehmet
M
Koc
D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000633:toxicity*; D005650:Fumarates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012083:Renin / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
D000577:Amides; D003287:Contrast Media; D005650:Fumarates; D012083:Renin; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors; C446481:aliskiren