Effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix Pharmacopuncture Intravenous Injection on Ischemia-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Rabbits

Kim, Hyeong-Cheol; Kim, Gyoung-Ho; Lee, Guem-San; Kim, Hyung-Woo; Lim, Se-Hyun; Lim, Chi-Yeon; Kim, Young-Gyun; Cho, Su-In

Keywords: Glycyrrhizae Radix; pharmacopuncture; ischemia; renal failure

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2011.14.4.005

Objectives: The present study was undergone to determine whether Glycyrrhizae Radix pharmacopuncture intravenous injection exerts beneficial effect against the ischemia-induced acute renal failure in rabbits. Methods: Rabbits were treated with Glycyrrhizae Radix pharmacopuncture via i.v., followed by renal ischemia/reperfusion. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate were measured and the malondialdehyde content was also determined. The morphological changes of cortical part of kidney also observed with light microscope. Results: Renal ischemia/reperfusion caused increase of the fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate in ischemia-induced animals, which was prevented by Radix Glycyrrhizae extract treatment. Ischemia/reperfusion increased lipid peroxidation, which was prevented and morphological changes also altered by Radix Glycyrrhizae pharmacopuncture administration. Conclusions: These results indicate that lipid peroxidation plays a critical role in ischemia-induced acute renal failure and Glycyrrhizae Radix pharmacopuncture exerts the protective effect against acute renal failure induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion.