Role of p38 MAPK, Akt and NFκB in renoprotective effects of nebivolol on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury is a complex pathophysiologic condition characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. We investigated the potential renoprotective effect of nebivolol, a beta(1) adrenergic receptor blocker, against renal I-R injury. We focused on the role of nebivolol in activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, Akt (protein kinase B) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF kappa B) transcription factors, which contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis during renal I-R. We divided 20 adult male Wistar albino rats into three experimental groups. Group 1 was a sham control in which only laparotomy was performed. Group 2 was the I-R group in which both kidneys were made ischemic for 45 min, then reperfused for 24 h. Group 3 was the I-R + nebivolol group in which 10 mg/kg nebivolol was administrated by gavage for 7 days before I-R. We measured Inflammation, oxidative stress and active caspase-3 as well as activation of p38 MAPK, Akt (protein kinase B) and NFkB transcription factor. Nebivolol significantly reduced oxidative stress and increased superoxide dismutase levels during renal I-R. We found that nebivolol significantly decreased interstitial inflammation, and TNF-a and interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression. Nebivolol significantly reduced active caspase-3 and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) expressions. Nebivolol also significantly decreased activation of p38 MAPK signaling and NF kappa B, and induced Akt activation during renal I-R. Our findings suggest that nebivolol may be useful for management of renal I-R injury