Ischemia/reperfusion model

Experimental and control groups were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg) and sited on a heating pad to maintain a constant temperature at 37 °C, that was monitored with a rectal thermometer. A midline abdominal incision was made, and both kidneys were exposed. Renal ischemia was induced by non-traumatic vascular clamp over the isolated renal pedicles, [35–46], for 20 min in the rats corresponding to the I/R and I/R + PFN groups. Thereafter, the clamps were released to alloow reperfusion. Sham-operated animals underwent anesthesia, laparotomy, and renal pedicle dissection only. The incision in the muscle and the skin were closed with 3–0 vicryl and silk sutures, respectively.