Hibernation-like state reduces acute kidney injury (IMAGE)
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Summary of experiment: Circulatory arrest is needed in many heart and aortic surgeries so that surgeons can repair the damaged aorta. To make it safe, metabolism must be slowed (hypometabolism). When done using cold temperatures, the side effects can damage the kidneys. In the experiment, transgenic mice were injected with the experimental vector or control. The experimental vector made Q-neurons in the brain ready for activation. All mice were then injected with clozapine-N-oxide, which activated "ready" Q-neurons. At the same time, the descending aorta was clamped, mimicking circulatory arrest. This procedure was done at normal temperatures or cold temperatures. At normal temperatures, the control mice did not go into a hypometabolic state and the kidneys showed signs of extensive damage. At normal temperatures. In contrast, the mice with activated Q-neurons did go into a hypometabolic state and their kidneys shows much less damage.
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RIKEN
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