Objectives: To investigate the role of angiotensin inhibition on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and renal pathology in ischemic reperfusion (IR).

Material and Method: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 15-, 30-, 45- or 60- minutes of renal ischemia (I) by left renal artery occlusion. In the 30-minute I group, reperfusion (R) for 1 day (I₃₀R₁) was performed in additional animals that had been treated with water, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI; enalapril 5 mg/kg/d), or angiotensin receptor type 1 blocker (ARB; losartan 10 mg/kg/d) one day before I and were continued for 1 day after R. Renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of LPO, was examined during I and IR periods. Renal pathology was also determined.

Results: During ischemia, renal tissue MDA levels were increased throughout the 60-minute ischemic period and was maximum at 30 minutes of ischemia (p < 0.01). Histological changes in 30-minutes I group showed slight tubular cell congestion and mild interstitial edema. One day after reperfusion, MDA levels were still elevated (p < 0.01) when compared with sham. Progression of renal pathology was observed after 1 day of reperfusion. Both ACEI and ARB could attenuate the heightened MDA levels (p < 0.01). IR-induced renal injury was markedly diminished by administration of ACEI as well as by ARB.

Conclusion: These results indicate that inhibition of angiotensin could reduce lipid peroxidation and ameliorate renal injury during IR condition.

Keywords: Lipid peroxidation, Renal injury, Renal ischemic reperfusion, Angiotensin inhibition