[Role of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in protecting kidney from injury induced by asphyxia in neonatal rats].

Objective: To observe the role of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1ra) in protecting kidney from injury induced by asphyxia in neonatal rats.

Methods: Neonatal rats were used as experimental animals. The changes in intrarenal inflammatory response and renal injury were examined in the control group (n=13), and 2, 24 and 48 hours after asphyxia followed by normal saline treatment in those treated with rhIL-1ra.

Results: In normal saline group, the white blood cell count, the blood interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-8, IL-6, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET-1) levels, and the renal coefficient (LRC), the scores of injured tubules of the left kidney were significantly increased at 2 hours (n=10), 24 hours (n=11), and 48 hours (n=10, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the normal saline group, the levels of the above parameters, except IL-6, were significantly decreased in rhIL-1ra treatment group at the same time points (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Serum IL-6 at 24 hours and 48 hours was also decreased in rhIL-1ra treatment group significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

Conclusion: The results suggest that rhIL-1ra may protect renal injury after asphyxia via inhibiting intrarenal inflammatory response.