Investigation of Kisspeptin Role in Experimental Kidney Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Abstract

Introduction: Kisspeptin is biologically active peptide encoded by the KISS1 gene that is structurally found in the kidney tubule, collecting duct and vein smooth muscle cells.    Aim: We aimed to investigate the role of kisspeptin in kidney function and renal pathophysiology in experimental kidney ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.    Materials and methods: Male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into control and I/R groups (n=8). Both kidney vessels of I/R group rats were clamped and subjected to ischemia for 60 minutes and reperfusion for 48 hours. After the reperfusion period blood samples and kidney tissue were collected under anesthesia.    Results: Levels of urea, creatinine (p<0.01) in serum, Kim-1 in urine (p<0.05) were increased, creatinine clearance, aldosterone and ANG II levels in serum were decreased in the I/R group compared with the Control group (p<0.05). Kidney kisspeptin levels decreased and urine kisspeptin levels increased (p<0.05).    Conclusions: The present study has shown that the levels of kisspeptin change in kidney damage and thus the kisspeptin may play a role in the regulation of renal function and in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury.