Carvedilol protects tubular epithelial cells from ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress

Objectives: Renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), leading to acute kidney injury, is a frequent complication with renal transplantation and it is associated with graft function. Its pathogenesis involves ischemia, vascular congestion and reactive oxygen metabolites. Carvedilol is an antihypertensive drug with potent anti‐oxidant properties. In this study we investigated the protective effects of carvedilol in a rat renal IRI model. Methods: Twenty‐four rats were randomized into sham, untreated control and carvedilol (2 mg/kg 30 min before surgery and 12 hr after reperfusion) treatment groups and were subjected to 60 min of left renal ischemia followed by reperfusion at 24, 48, 96 and 168 hr. Results: Treatment with carvedilol significantly decreased plasma creatinine levels after IRI (up to 168 hr) compared to controls (P