Protection of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is the most common cause of acute renal injury. I/R-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to be a major factor in the development of acute renal injury by promoting the initial tubular damage. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a well-known antioxidant protein that regulates ROS generation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether NQO1 modulates the renal I/R injury (IRI) associated with NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived ROS production in an animal model. We analyzed renal function, oxidative stress, and tubular apoptosis after IRI. NQO1−/− mice showed increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, tubular damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. In the kidneys of NQO1−/− mice, the cellular NADPH/NADP+ ratio was significantly higher and NOX activity was markedly higher than in those of NQO1+/+ mice. The activation of NQO1 by β-lapachone (βL) significantly improved renal dysfunction and reduced tubular cell damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis by renal I/R. Moreover, the βL treatment significantly lowered the cellular NADPH/NADP+ ratio and dramatically reduced NOX activity in the kidneys after IRI. From these results, it was concluded that NQO1 has a protective role against renal injury induced by I/R and that this effect appears to be mediated by decreased NOX activity via cellular NADPH/NADP+ modulation. These results provide convincing evidence that NQO1 activation might be beneficial for ameliorating renal injury induced by I/R. [Display omitted] •Ischemia/reperfusion-induced ROS production leads to NQO1 expression.•NQO1−/− mice show increased enhanced susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal injury.•Genetic deletion of NQO1 accelerates ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal function and histopathological damage in the kidney.•NQO1 competes with NADPH oxidase.•Pharmacological activation of NQO1 attenuates ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure.