Background. We have previously reported that small synthetic oligopeptides related to human β-chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) can reduce inflammation. Here we investigated whether such oligopeptides can reduce renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the mouse.Methods. Ten different oligopeptides were administered 1 min before induction of renal ischaemia and 1 min before reperfusion.Results. Survival at 72 h post-reperfusion was significantly higher in mice treated with oligopeptides MTRV, LQG, VLPALPQ or AQGV as compared to placebo-treated mice. Some oligopeptides were more effective than others. AQGV completely prevented mortality and best preserved kidney function. Next, AQGV was tested in a dose-escalating study in a range of 0.3-30 mgkg. A survival gain was observed with all doses. Improvement of kidney function was observed from 1 mgkg. Highest survival and best preserved kidney function were observed at 3 and 10 mgkg. Upon treatment with AQGV, a significantly lower influx of neutrophils was found, apoptosis was decreased, whereas tubular epithelial cell proliferation was significantly increased at 24 h post-reperfusion. Serum levels of TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly decreased at 24 h post-reperfusion. E-selectin mRNA levels in kidneys were significantly decreased at 6 h post-reperfusion. AQGV did not reduce mortality when treatment was started after reperfusion.Conclusions. This study shows that small oligopeptides related to the primary structure of β-hCG, especially AQGV, are promising potential drugs for preventing the development of renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

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doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfp369, hdl.handle.net/1765/17014
Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Khan, N. A., Susa, D., van den Berg, J. W., Huisman, M., Ameling, M., van den Engel, S., … de Bruin, R. (2009). Amelioration of renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury by synthetic oligopeptides related to human chorionic gonadotropin. Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, 24(9), 2701–2708. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfp369