The role of erythropoietin in hemorrhagic shock-induced liver and renal injury in rats

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in liver and renal injury following hemorrhagic shock (HS) after inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity in rats. Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to six groups: (I) HS alone; (II) HS followed by retransfusion; (III) EPO and genistein followed by HS; (IV) EPO and genistein followed by HS, followed by retransfusion; (V) HS followed by EPO and genistein; and (VI) HS followed by EPO and genistein, followed by retransfusion. HS was induced for 60 minutes after withdrawal of 30% of the calculated total blood volume of each rat from the left femoral artery. Blood and tissue samples (from the kidney and liver) were obtained 60 minutes after HS in Group I, III, and V; blood and tissue samples were obtained 60 minutes after retransfusion in Group II, IV, and VI. In Group III and IV, EPO was given 60 minutes before HS, and genistein 30 minutes before HS. In Group V and VI, EPO and genistein were given 30 minutes after HS. Results: Liver and renal injury were significantly attenuated with EPO and genistein administration. Conclusion: These results suggest that EPO is effective in attenuating liver and renal injury in HS, even with inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity with genistein.