Research Article

Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner

Volume: 3 Number: 3 January 15, 2026

Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner

Abstract

Background: Renal ischemia–reperfusion (IR) drives acute kidney injury through oxidative stress and inflammation. Thalidomide (TD), an immunomodulatory agent, may attenuate IR-related biochemical and structural damage. Methods: Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats were randomized to four groups (n=8): Sham, IR, TD+IR (20 mg/kg i.p. 30 min before ischemia), and IR+TD (20 mg/kg i.p. immediately after 60-min ischemia). All animals underwent right nephrectomy, left renal ischemia (60 min), and 24-h reperfusion. Outcomes included serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (CR)/albumin; renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT); and histopathology (tubular dilatation, epithelial shedding, intertubular congestion). Results: IR increased BUN/CR versus Sham, while albumin was unchanged. TD+IR modestly lowered BUN/CR compared with IR, whereas IR+TD did not improve these indices at 24 h. MDA rose with IR and was reduced by TD+IR (vs IR), but not by IR+TD; CAT fell with IR and was highest in IR+TD, while GSH and SOD showed no significant group differences. Histologically, IR produced tubular epithelial shedding, dilatation, and intertubular congestion. TD+IR improved all parameters except epithelial shedding (vs IR), and IR+TD improved all except tubular dilatation; medullary congestion decreased in both TD groups, more prominently with IR+TD. Conclusion: TD confers schedule-dependent renoprotection in renal IR. Pre-ischemic dosing more consistently preserves function and limits lipid peroxidation, whereas post-ischemic dosing better enhances CAT activity and alleviates medullary congestion. These data support TD as a context-dependent adjunct for peri-ischemic kidney protection.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Research Fund of the Inonu University

Project Number

TLO-2017-799

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval (Protocol No. 2017/A-19) was granted by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, İnönü University, on 23 March 2017.

References

  1. Abbate, M., Bonventre, J. V., & Brown, D. (1994). The microtubule network of renal epithelial cells is disrupted by ischemia and reperfusion. American Journal of Physiology, 267(6 Pt 2), F971-978. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.1994.267.6.F971
  2. Ali, Z., Ismail, M., Rehman, I. U., Rani, G. F., Ali, M., & Khan, M. T. M. (2023). Long-term clinical efficacy and safety of thalidomide in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia: results from Thal-Thalido study. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 13592. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40849-4
  3. Amirshahrokhi, K. (2021). Thalidomide reduces glycerol-induced acute kidney injury by inhibition of NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines. Cytokine, 144, 155574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155574
  4. Bowers, L. D., & Wong, E. T. (1980). Kinetic serum creatinine assays. II. A critical evaluation and review. Clinical Chemistry, 26(5), 555-561.
  5. Cengiz, A. N., Ozhan, O., Tanriverdi, L. H., Dogru, F., Yildiz, A., Polat, A.,…Parlakpinar, H. (2025). Alamandine: Protective Effects Against Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury-Induced Renal and Liver Damage in Diabetic Rats. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 39(8), e70423. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbt.70423
  6. Chen, J. M., Zhu, W. J., Liu, J., Wang, G. Z., Chen, X. Q., Tan, Y.,…Zhou, G. B. (2021). Safety and efficacy of thalidomide in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia: a randomized clinical trial. Signal Transduct Target Ther, 6(1), 405. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-021-00811-0
  7. Doumas, B. T., Watson, W. A., & Biggs, H. G. (1971). Albumin standards and the measurement of serum albumin with bromcresol green. Clinica Chimica Acta, 31(1), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-8981(71)90365-2
  8. Ellman, G. L. (1959). Tissue sulfhydryl groups. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 82(1), 70-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-9861(59)90090-6

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medical Pharmacology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 15, 2026

Submission Date

September 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 3 Number: 3

APA
Özhan, O., Mete, U. C., Yıldız, A., Durhan, M., Vardı, N., Çiğremiş, Y., Acet, A., & Parlakpınar, H. (2026). Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner. Recent Trends in Pharmacology, 3(3), 75-86. https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1780199
AMA
1.Özhan O, Mete UC, Yıldız A, et al. Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner. Recent Trends in Pharmacology. 2026;3(3):75-86. doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1780199
Chicago
Özhan, Onural, Ugur Cem Mete, Azibe Yıldız, et al. 2026. “Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner”. Recent Trends in Pharmacology 3 (3): 75-86. https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1780199.
EndNote
Özhan O, Mete UC, Yıldız A, Durhan M, Vardı N, Çiğremiş Y, Acet A, Parlakpınar H (January 1, 2026) Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner. Recent Trends in Pharmacology 3 3 75–86.
IEEE
[1]O. Özhan et al., “Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner”, Recent Trends in Pharmacology, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 75–86, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.62425/rtpharma.1780199.
ISNAD
Özhan, Onural - Mete, Ugur Cem - Yıldız, Azibe - Durhan, Merve - Vardı, Nigar - Çiğremiş, Yılmaz - Acet, Ahmet - Parlakpınar, Hakan. “Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner”. Recent Trends in Pharmacology 3/3 (January 1, 2026): 75-86. https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1780199.
JAMA
1.Özhan O, Mete UC, Yıldız A, Durhan M, Vardı N, Çiğremiş Y, Acet A, Parlakpınar H. Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner. Recent Trends in Pharmacology. 2026;3:75–86.
MLA
Özhan, Onural, et al. “Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner”. Recent Trends in Pharmacology, vol. 3, no. 3, Jan. 2026, pp. 75-86, doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1780199.
Vancouver
1.Onural Özhan, Ugur Cem Mete, Azibe Yıldız, Merve Durhan, Nigar Vardı, Yılmaz Çiğremiş, Ahmet Acet, Hakan Parlakpınar. Thalidomide Modulates Oxidative Stress and Tubular Pathology in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in a Timing-Dependent Manner. Recent Trends in Pharmacology. 2026 Jan. 1;3(3):75-86. doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1780199