Erythropoietin attenuates experimental haemorrhagic shock-induced renal damage through an iNOS- dependent mechanism in male Wistar rats

Abstract Aim Erythropoietin (EPO) is shown to exert protective effects on different tissues in haemorrhagic shock (HS) states. Nitric oxide (NO), as a multifunctional signaling molecule, is implicated in diverse physiologic and pathologic processes. In order to understand the exact mechanism of EPO protection, in this study we evaluated the role of different NOS enzymes in the EPO signaling pathway in male rats. Methods Rats were randomized to five groups: 1) Sham, 2) HS 3) EPO 4) L-NAME, a non-specific NOS inhibitor 5) 1400 W, a specific iNOS inhibitor. HS was induced by withdrawal of 50% of total blood volume. After 2 h, resuscitation was performed with the shed blood and Ringer’s lactate. In group 3, rats were treated with EPO (300 IU/kg, i.v.) over 10 min before HS induction. In the L-NAME and 1400 W groups, L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and 1400 W (2 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered 30 min before EPO injection. Blood and kidney tissue samples were obtained 3 h after resuscitation. Results EPO increased the survival rate and significantly improved kidney function and histology compared to the HS group. There were less renal oxidative stress, apoptosis and systemic inflammatory responses in the EPO group. EPO increased eNOS and more abundantly iNOS mRNA expressions. L-NAME and 1400 W significantly abolished all beneficial effects of EPO. Conclusion In this in vivo animal model, we showed that EPO administration prior to HS attenuates renal injury and dysfunction in rats. The protective effects of EPO may be mediated by nitric oxide and the expression of different NOS enzymes, especially iNOS isoform.