Targeting the Panoptosome Using Necrostatin-1 Reduces Panoptosis and Protects the Kidney Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in a Rat Model of Controlled Experimental Nonheart-Beating Donor

Abstract

Purpose: Reducing renal ischemia is crucial for the function and survival of grafts from nonheartbeat donors, as it leads to inflammatory responses and tubulointerstitial damage. The primary concern with organs from nonheartbeat donors is the long warm ischemia period and reperfusion injury following renal transplantation. This study had two main goals; one goal is to determine how Necrostatin-1 targeting the PANoptosome affects PANoptosis in the nonheart-beating donor rat model. The other goal is to find out if Necrostatin-1 can protect the kidney from ischemic injury for renal transplantation surgery. Methods: Twenty-four rats were grouped randomly as control and Necrostatin-1 in this experimental animal study, and we administered 1.65 mg/kg of Necrostatin-1 intraperitoneally to the experimental group for 30 minutes before cardiac arrest. We removed the rats’ left kidneys and measured various oxidative stress marker measures such as malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, GPx, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels. We then subjected the tissues to immunohistochemical analysis, electron microscopy, and histopathological analysis. Findings: The Necrostatin-1 group had a lower total tubular injury score (P < .001) and less Caspase-3, gasdermin D, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein expression. Additionally, the apoptotic index of the study group was lower (P < .001). Furthermore, the study group had higher levels of superoxide dismutase and GPx (P < .05), whereas malondialdehyde levels were reduced (P = .009). Electron microscopy also revealed a significant improvement in tissue structure in the Necrostatin-1 group. Conclusion: Necrostatin-1 protects against ischemic acute kidney injury in nonheart-beating donor rats by inhibiting PANoptosis via the blockade of RIPK1. As a result of this, Necrostatin-1 may offer novel opportunities for protecting donor kidneys from renal ischemia-reperfusion injury during transplantation in patients with end-stage kidney disease requiring a renal transplantation. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.