Effect of IL-13 on expression of IL-1β in acute renal ischemia/ reperfusion injury in rats

AIM:To investigate the effects of IL-13 on expression of IL-1β in acute renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.METHODS:Fifty-seven male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 group: normal group, sham operation group, ischemia group, ischemia/reperfusion injury group(I/R), normal saline(NS)-treated group 1(C-1), NS-treated group 2(C-2), IL-13-treated group1(T-1)and IL-13-treated group 2(T-2).Rats were subjected to 45 min bilateral renal ischemia followed by reperfusion. rmIL-13 (1.5 μg/50 g body weight )was injected into the renal arteries through the abdominal aorta before ischemia(T-1) or immediately afterischemia(T-2).The serum level of IL-1β and the renal expression of IL-1β were determined in each group at 24 h post-ischemia. In addition, BUN, Cr and renal histology were also measured.RESULTS:(1)The serum level of IL-1β, gene expression and protein production of IL-1β in kidney decreased markedly in IL-13-treated groups.(2)Renal function and histology were significantly improved in IL-13-treated groups, renal injury scores decreased significantly.(3)A positive correlation were found between the serum level of IL-1β and BUN, SCr(r=0.708, P＜0.01;r=0.770, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:These data suggest that IL-13 inhibit the expression of IL-1βand improve func-tion and histology of kidney in acute renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.