Background: In a recent study, we were able to demonstrate a role for leukocyte transfer in the induction of liver damage in recipient mice after induction of IR (60 min of bilateral renal artery occlusion and 3 hrs reperfusion) injury in donors. The present study investigates the role of leukocyte transfer in the induction of kidney damage in recipient mice after induction of renal IR injury in donors.

Methods: Mice were divided into two sham and renal IR groups. After anesthesia, leukocytes were isolated from blood and were transferred to the two recipient groups: the intact recipient mice received leukocytes from the sham donor group (Sham recipient) and the intact recipient mice that received leukocytes from IR donor group (IR recipient). After 24 hrs, the recipient mice were anesthetized and blood samples and renal tissues were collected.

Results: Renal malondialdehyde (MDA) increased and glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased significantly in IR recipient group in comparison to sham recipient group. Although renal function tests, including BUN and plasma creatinine were significantly different between IR donor and sham donor groups, but they were not significantly different in two recipient groups. Renal tissues in IR donor group showed extensive damage compared to sham group, but in IR recipients' kidneys, they were different from IR donor tissues despite being different from their respective sham group.

Conclusion: These findings are suggestive of implication of leukocytes in renal tissue damage and oxidative stress after renal IR injury.