Methods: Thirty-two Wistar-albino rats were randomized into four groups with equal number of rats (n=8) as follows: The control group (sham laparotomy), control + Β-glucan, aortic IR, aortic IR + Β-glucan. In the two groups in which aortic IR was used, 120 minutes of ischemia by clamping of the IAA followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion after removal of the clamp were performed. Β-glucan was orally administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg by intragastric gavage twice a day for 10 days. The rats are sacrificed under deep anesthesia and the kidney tissues were removed. The tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured and kidney tissue specimens were examined histopatologically.

Results: Biochemical analysis showed that aortic IR significantly increased (p<0.05 vs control) while Β-glucan significantly decreased (p<0.05 vs aortic IR) the kidney tissue levels of MDA, SOD, catalase and MPO. Histologically, in the aortic IR group, focal glomerular necrosis, dilatation of Bowman's capsule, tubular epithelial degeneration, tubular epithelial necrosis, tubular dilatation, interstitial inflammatory infiltration and congestion were significantly increased when compared to the control group (p<0.05 vs control). However, in aortic IR + Β-glucan group, all of these parameters were significantly decreased when compared to the aortic IR group (p<0.05 vs aortic IR).

Conclusion: The results of this experimental study shows that Β-glucan attenuates the kidney injury induced by infrarenal abdominal IR in rats. We think that Β-glucan may decrease oxidative stres, lipid peroxidation, and leucocyte infiltration.