Cannabidiol treatment ameliorates ischemia/reperfusion renal injury in rats

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the protective effect of cannabidiol, the major non-psychotropic Cannabis constituent, against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Main methods: Bilateral renal ischemia was induced for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Cannabidiol (5 mg/kg, i.v.) was given 1 h before and 12 h following the procedure. Key findings: Ischemia/reperfusion caused significant elevations of serum creatinine and renal malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, associated with a significant decrease in renal reduced glutathione. Cannabidiol significantly attenuated the deterioration in the measured biochemical parameters induced by ischemia/reperfusion. Histopathological examination showed that cannabidiol ameliorated ischemia/reperfusion-induced kidney damage. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that cannabidiol significantly reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-κB, Fas ligand and caspase-3, and increased the expression of survivin in ischemic/reperfused kidney tissue. Significance: Cannabidiol, via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may represent a potential therapeutic option to protect against ischemia/reperfusion renal injury. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.