Effect of ticagrelor on plasma P-selectin concentration during acute kidney injury in septic rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of ticagrelor on plasma P-selectin (CD62P) concentration during acute kidney injury in septic rats. Methods Thirty SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 180-220 g, were divided into 3 groups(n=10 each)using a random number table method: sham operation group (group S), sepsis group (group Sep) and ticagrelor group (group T). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized rats.The abdomen was opened after anesthesia induction and then closed after turning the intestines in group S. Ticagrelor 8.6 mg/kg was given through a gastric tube into stomach at 12 h after establishing the model in group T, while the equal volume of distilled water was given instead in S and Sep groups.Blood samples were collected from hearts at 24 h after establishing the model for determination of the concentrations of Scr and plasma CD62P.The rats were then sacrificed, and bilateral renal tissues were taken for examination of pathological changes and for determination of cell apoptosis by fluorescence microscopy after Annexin/V-FITC double staining was performed. Results Compared with group S, the concentrations of Scr and plasma CD62P, renal Paller score and apoptosis rate of renal cells were significantly increased in Sep and T groups (P<0.05). Compared with group Sep, the concentrations of Scr and plasma CD62P, renal Paller score and apoptosis rate of renal cells were significantly decreased in group T (P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which ticagrelor reduces acute kidney injury is related to decreasing plasma CD62P concentrations and inhibiting cell apoptosis in septic rats. Key words: Platelet aggregation inhibitors; Sepsis; Acute kidney injury; P-selectin