Inhibition of renal pro-inflammatory responses by erythropoietin in a hemorrhagic shock model

Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable trauma-related complications which leads to multiple organ failure and mortality. Therefore, interventions to reduce organ dysfunction are essential. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of erythropoietin (EPO) administration on rat acute kidney injury induced by HS. Male Wistar rats (285-300 g) were divided into 3 groups. One group served as the sham for HS group. In HS group, 50% of blood was drawn and collected via the femoral artery in 30 minutes. After 120 minutes; resuscitation was performed with shed blood and Ringer’s lactate. In EPO group, 10 minutes after EPO administration (300 IU / kg, i.v.), HS was induced. In all groups, 3 hours after resuscitation, renal tissue samples were examined for malondialdehyde (MDA) content and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6)) formation. Renal MDA content in HS group was significantly increased in comparison to the sham group. Lower renal MDA level was observed with EPO administration compared with the HS group. Renal TNF-α and IL-6 in HS group were significantly higher than the sham group. By administration of EPO, renal TNF-α and IL-6 decreased significantly compared with the HS group. This study suggests that renal pro-inflammatory cytokine formation is inhibited by using of single intravenous injection of EPO in hemorrhagic shock.