Oleanolic Acid Improves the Symptom of Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury via the PI3K/AKT Pathway

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of oleanolic acid (OA) on the renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIRI) and the possible mechanism. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The RIRI model was successfully established in rats. OA, LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor), and OA combined with LY294002 were dosed to rats in 3 therapeutic groups, respectively. The blood was collected to detect the concentration of Cr and BUN by ELISA. The kidney of each rat was collected to detect the concentration of renal injury factor (Kim-1) and the HE staining was performed. Western blot was used to detect the expression level of PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, PDK1, Skp2, and p27 in the renal tissue homogenate. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The symptom of vacuolar degeneration and interstitial edema was greatly improved in the rat kidney from the 3 therapeutic groups, compared with that from the RIRI model group. No significant difference was observed among the 3 therapeutic groups. The concentration of Cr in the 3 therapeutic groups was greatly lower than that in the RIRI model group. The expression level of p-AKT/AKT, PI3K, PDK1, Skp2, and p27 in OA group, LY294002 group, and OA combined with LY294002 group was significantly lower than that in the RIRI model group, respectively. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> OA could improve the symptom of RIRI, possibly by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signal pathway.