Effect of levosimendan, an inodilator, on renal function in different renal injury models in rats

Levosimendan is a positive inotropic agent with vasodilating properties. It has been shown to protect the kidneys from ischemia/reperfusion injury, in endotoxemia and in salt-induced hypertension in experimental animals. The aim of this study is to examine if levosimendan has a protective effect on kidney function in three models of renal injury: cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity, diabetic nephropathy and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced- hypertensive nephropathy. Renal injury will be induced by a single injection of cisplatin (6 mg/kg), streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) or by oral administration of L-NAME (75 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks). Levosimendan (0.3 and 1 mg/kg/day) will be orally administered. Renal blood flow (RBF), in addition to several biochemical and pathological indices will be measured