Exogenous follistatin administration ameliorates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury through anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis effects.

Objectives: This study was aimed to explore the effects of follistatin on cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction, histopathological changes, apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative damage in rats.

Background: Follistatin plays an important role in the developmental and regeneration processes of kidney by blocking the actions of activin, which is a member of transforming growth factor-β superfamily.

Methods: Twenty seven rats were separated into 4 equal groups: Control, Cp (cisplatin, 6 mg/kg, intrapertoneally (ip)), F1 (cisplatin + 1 µg/day follistatin ip for 4 consecutive days) and F4 (cisplatin + 4 µg/day follistatin ip single dose) groups.