The protective roles of zinc and estradiol in renal ischemia/ reperfusion injury in ovariectomized rats

Context: One of the main events associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zinc (Zn) and estradiol are considered as antioxidants that scavenge free radicals.
The aim of this study was to compare the protective effect of Zn and estradiol against renal IRI in ovariectomized rats.
Ovariectomized Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups including control (sham operated), IRI, estradiol treated ℒ, estradiol and Zn treated ℒ, Zn treated ℒ groups. The IRI was induced by clamping renal vessels for 45 minutes followed by 24 hours reperfusion. During the last 6 hours of reperfusion, urine output was collected and the measurements were performed.
IRI caused an increase in kidney tissue damage score (KTDS) significantly (P Zn protected the kidney against IRI with an evident improvements of serum BUN and Cr levels, Cr clearance and tissue damage.