Biochemical and Histological Evaluation of The Impacts of Conivaptan and Boric Acid on Ischemia-induced Tissue Injury

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Can B., Kar F., Kar E., Özkoç M., Şentürk H., Burukoğlu Dönmez D., ...More

Osmangazi Tıp Dergisi, vol.48, no.4, pp.590-607, 2026 (TRDizin)

Abstract

Abstract: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), involves complicated pathophysiological process triggered by oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms. This process adversely affects kidneys and distant organs/systems, potentially leading to multiple organ failure. Therefore, experimental studies targeting renal I/R injury mechanisms are needed to mitigate local and distant organ damage. We established an experimental renal I/R rat model to mimic the clinical presentation of AKI and evaluated the potential damage-preventive effects of conivaptan (CON) and boric acid (BA) on kidneys and distant tissues (liver, brain, heart, pancreas, testis, spleen). Accordingly, rats were divided into the groups: Control (sham-operated), Ischemia–reperfusion (I/R), I/R + Dimethyl sulfoxide (I/R + DMSO) I/R + Conivaptan (I/R + CON), and I/R + Conivaptan + Boric acid (I/R + CON + BA). TAS, TOS, and total thiol levels, which indicated oxidant and antioxidant redox status, were measured in blood samples, and the oxidative stress index was calculated. Inflammation-related cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-35, and chemerin) were analysed through ELISA and/or RT-PCR. Furthermore, serum enzyme activities, lipid-profile, and albumin levels were determined. Tissue samples were examined histologically using Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. Renal I/R injury significantly increased systemic oxidative stress, exacerbated renal inflammation, and induced distant organ damage. Treatment with CON and BA demonstrated protective effects by reducing oxidative stress and modulating inflammatory responses without inducing toxicity in the postischemic period. Our findings suggest that CON and BA exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the early phase of postischemic injury process and may be effective in attenuating distant organ damage following renal I/R injury. Keywords: Boric acid, Conivaptan, Inflammation, Acute kidney injury, Ischemia-reperfusion, Oxidative stress