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Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO039

Kidney-Protective Effect of Remote Ischemic Conditioning: Involvement of the Spleen

Session Information

Category: Acute Kidney Injury

  • 101 AKI: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

  • Livingston, Man Jiang, Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States
  • Dong, Zheng, Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States
Background

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), performed at a remote site, protects multiple organs including the heart and brain, but its role in the kidney is controversial and much less understood. The signal transmission of RIC protection is also unknown. This study examined the effects of RIC on acute kidney injury (AKI) and post-AKI kidney repair using different experimental models.

Methods

Anesthetized mice were placed on a homeothermic station with the hind limbs wrapped in cuffs. RIC was conducted by 4 cycles of alternating 5-minute inflation at 200 mmHg and 5-minute deflation.

Results

RIC suppressed renal dysfunction and tubular injury during ischemic AKI. RIC also alleviated cisplatin-induced AKI and prevented body weight loss but appeared nonprotective against LPS-induced septic AKI. Daily RIC for 2 weeks after ischemic AKI promoted kidney repair, as indicated by the amelioration of kidney fibrosis and the preservation of renal function and tubular integrity. However, RIC was much less effective in promoting kidney repair after repeated low dose cisplatin treatment, showing minimal effects on renal dysfunction and kidney fibrosis. To understand how RIC signals from the limb to the kidney, we examined the spleen, an organ involved in neuroimmune modulation. Splenectomy diminished the beneficial effects of RIC on ischemic AKI and subsequent kidney repair whereas barely affected the effects of RIC in cisplatin-treated mice.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the renal protective effect of RIC and its regulation may vary depending on the etiology of AKI. Mechanistically, the spleen and associated neuroimmune modulation play a critical role in the renal effect of RIC.

Funding

  • NIDDK Support