Berberine Ameliorates Renal Functional Disorders and Pulmonary Tissue Injury Following Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats

Introduction: This study investigated the effect of berberine on renal dysfunction and histological damages of the lung induced by renal ischemia/ reperfusion at an early stage. Methods: There were four experimental groups of adult male rats (n=7). Seven days before induction of ischemia, the Ber+I/R group received oral (by gavage) berberine (15 mg/kg/day) while the I/R group received distilled water. Renal arteries were not occluded in the sham group and Ber+sham group, and they were administered distilled water and berberine (15 mg/kg/day), respectively, by gavage 7 days before surgery. Renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of both renal arteries for 45 min followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and finally lung samples were preserved for light microscopical examination. Results: The 45 min ischemia/24 h reperfusion resulted in renal functional disorders and histological damages to the lung, which were associated with increased plasma levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALK) during reperfusion period. In the Ber+I/R group, renal functional disorders and histological damage to the lung were improved, which was accompanied by less increase in plasma creatinine, BUN, LDH and ALK than those of the non-treated rats. Conclusion: Berberine has an ameliorative effect on renal as well as pulmonary injuries following renal ischemia/reperfusion in rats.