Atorvastatin donor pretreatment prevents ischemia/reperfusion injury in renal transplantation in rats: possible role for aldose-reductase inhibition.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of donor pretreatment with atorvastatin on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in renal transplantation in rats.

Methods: Donor rats were pretreated orally with atorvastatin or vehicle 2 days prior to explantation. Kidneys were stored for 24 hr at 4 degrees C in University of Wisconsin solution and transplanted into isogeneic or allogeneic recipients.