ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to explore the effects of follistatin on cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction, histopathological changes, apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative damage in rats. BACKGROUND: Follistatin plays an important role in the developmental and regeneration processes of kidney by blocking the actions of activin, which is a member of transforming growth factor-ß superfamily. METHODS: Twenty seven rats were separated into 4 equal groups: Control, Cp (cisplatin, 6 mg/kg, intrapertoneally (ip)), F1 (cisplatin + 1 µg/day follistatin ip for 4 consecutive days) and F4 (cisplatin + 4 µg/day follistatin ip single dose) groups. Renal health was monitored by blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and histological analysis. Apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress was investigated in kidney tissue. Activin A levels in serum and kidney were evaluated as well. RESULTS: Follistatin administration showed a considerable nephroprotective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by preventing renal functional and structural abnormalities, apoptosis and inflammation. The activin A levels in both serum and kidney were also suppressed by follistatin administration. CONCLUSION: Exogenous follistatin ameliorates acute kidney injury, by blocking activin A. The renoprotective effect of follistatin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity appears to be associated with its anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and direct nephroprotective actions (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 23).