Aims: 

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with well-known cytoprotective effects. Not surprisingly, the lack of endogenous PACAP has various pathological consequences. We have previously described the presence of endogenous PACAP in the kidney and demonstrated its changes following renal ischemia/reperfusion. We have also shown that homozygous PACAP deficient mice (PACAP^-/-) react more sensitively to in vivo ischemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of in vivo renal ischemia/reperfusion in PACAP ^+/- mice.

Methods: 

Mice underwent 45 or 60 minutes of renal ischemia followed by a 2-weeks reperfusion. Kidneys were processed for histological analysis. Sections stained with PAS-haematoxylin were graded for the following parameters: dilatation of the Bowman`s capsule, tubular dilatation, thyreoidisation, lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration, disappearance of the PAS-positive glycocalyx along the brush border.

Results: 

Our results show that while intact kidneys were not different between PACAP^+/- and ^+/+ mice, marked differences were observed in the histological structures in groups that underwent ischemia/reperfusion. PACAP^+/- mice had a worse histological outcome, with higher histological scores for most of the tested parameters.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, even the partial lack of endogenous PACAP leads to higher susceptibility to in vivo renal ischemia/reperfusion, suggesting that endogenous PACAP has a protective effect in the kidney.

Support: 

OTKA F67830, K72592, CNK78480, T73044, Bolyai Scholarship, PTE AOK Research Grant 2009, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.