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Effects of ghrelin on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury: one step forward

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Abstract

Background

Among the several disorders induced by sepsis, acute kidney injury (AKI) represents the most important economic burden problem that is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ghrelin in sepsis-induced AKI and the possible role of vagus nerve.

Methods

Five groups were included: sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), CLP–ghrelin, CLP–vagotomy and CLP–vagotomy–ghrelin group.

Results

Ghrelin treatment immediately after induction of CLP, significantly improved renal Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), serum creatinine, BUN and renal necrosis score as compared to the unprotected CLP group. In addition, ghrelin significantly decreased renal TNF alpha (111.5 ± 10.35 vs. 291.8 ± 15.8 pg/mg ptn), VCAM1 (6.28 ± 1.7 vs. 12.9 ± 1.2 µ/g ptn) and MPO (0.95 ± 0.13 vs. 2.5 ± 0.4 µ/g ptn) without significant increase in renal IL-10. Those effects were abolished by vagotomy.

Conclusion

We concluded that ghrelin could represent new therapeutic window in early treatment of sepsis-induced AKI and this could be mainly due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

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Acknowledgments

The skillful technical assistance of Afaf, Aza and Tarek is appreciated.

Conflict of interest

All the authors have declared no competing interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Akef Khowailed, Sandra Mourad Younan, Hend Ashour & Nivin Sharawy

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Abd Elkarim Kamel

  3. Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine’s, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

    Nivin Sharawy

Authors
  1. Akef Khowailed
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  2. Sandra Mourad Younan
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  3. Hend Ashour
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  4. Abd Elkarim Kamel
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  5. Nivin Sharawy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nivin Sharawy.

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Khowailed, A., Younan, S.M., Ashour, H. et al. Effects of ghrelin on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury: one step forward. Clin Exp Nephrol 19, 419–426 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-014-1006-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-014-1006-x

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