LAUSR

BACKGROUND This study determined the possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant renal protective effect of genistein, a soy isoflavone, against kidney damage and functional disorders following renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The animals were dedicated to five groups (n=7 per group): Sham, Sham+Geni (genistein, 15 mg/kg in 1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p.), Sham+DMSO (1 ml 1% DMSO, i.p.), I/R (bilateral renal ischemia for 45 min followed by 24 h reperfusion), I/R+Geni (genistein, 15 mg/kg). 24-h urine samples, blood and tissue samples of the kidney were collected at the end of 24 h reperfusion period. RESULTS Compared to sham, sham+Geni and sham+DMSO groups, IR injury (IRI) ended in kidney dysfunction (decreased creatinine clearance, and increased fractional excretion of sodium), increased levels of malondialdehyde, decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, gluthatione peroxidase, and catalase), increased gene expression levels of TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), as well as histological damages in kidney tissue. Genistein administration decreased all the changes. Therefore, genistein apparently protects the kidney against IRI by mitigating both oxidative stress and inflammation. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of genistein probably exert important roles in improving functional disorders and offer renal protection against IRI.