A Role for Erythropoietin in the Attenuation of Radiocontrast-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Rats

Background. Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains an important iatrogenic cause of acute renal failure in high-risk patients, despite the development of safer contrast media, the improvement of hydration protocols, and the introduction of additional preventive strategies. Erythropoietin (EPO) pretreatment may confer protection against acute renal failure through the induction of stress response genes. Methods. The effect of EPO has been evaluated in a rat model of CIN, induced by iothalamate, following the inhibition of nitric oxide- and prostaglandin-synthesis with indomethacin and N^ω nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to saline (CTR) or EPO injections (3000 U/kg and 600 U/kg, 24 and 2 h before the induction of CIN, respectively). Results. The decline in creatinine clearance in CTR animals from 0.38 ± 0.03 to 0.28 ± 0.03 mL/min/100 g (p < 0.005), was prevented by EPO pretreatment (from 0.34 ± 0.02 to 0.32 ± 0.03 mL/min/100 g, NS). The extent of medullary thick ascending limb- and S3-tubular damage in the outer medulla, however, was comparable in the two experimental groups. Conclusions. EPO pretreatment prevents renal dysfunction in a rat model of CIN. Further experimental and clinical studies are required to confirm these preliminary conclusions regarding a potential protective potency of EPO against CIN.