OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of exogenous putrescine on renal function and cell apoptosis in rats.

METHODSNinety SD rats were randomized into control group (n=10), high-dose putrescine group (P1 group, n=40), and low-dose putrescine group (P2 group, n=40) with intraperitoneal injections of 2 ml of normal saline, 50 µg/g putrescine, and 25 µg/g putrescine, respectively. At 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the injections, 10 rats from each group were sacrificed to examine serum Cr and BUN levels, histological changes in the kidneys, and renal cell apoptosis (TUNEL assay).

RESULTSThe rats in the two putrescine- treated groups showed mild edema in some renal tissues without obvious necrosis. In P1 and P2 groups, serum Cr and BUN levels differed significantly at each time point of measurement (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), and were significantly higher than the levels in the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). The two putrescine-treated groups showed gradually increased renal cell apoptosis with time, reaching the peak levels at 96 h and 48 h, respectively. The peak renal cell apoptosis rates in P1 [(24.78∓2.19)%] and P2 [(26.27∓2.13)%] group were significantly higher than the rate in the control group [(4.47∓0.33)%, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONExogenous putrescine can lead to renal function impairment and induce renal cell apoptosis in rats, and the severity of these changes appeared to be associated with the blood concentration of exogenous putrescine.