Fig. 7.

Effects of surgical stress and renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) on p21 gene expression. Sham surgery caused significant elevations in renal cortical p21 mRNA and protein levels compared with control (C) values. Renal ischemia followed by 4 h of reperfusion also markedly increased p21 mRNA and protein levels. However, the contralateral uninjured kidneys (Contra) also showed marked p21 mRNA and protein increases, which did not significantly differ from values in their postischemic counterparts (n = 5 mice per group). p53 mRNA values did not significantly change as a result of these interventions. As shown in Fig. 5, both sham surgery and unilateral ischemia-reperfusion caused acute ~6- to 7-fold increases in plasma cortisol levels compared with control. Values are means ± SE; n = 4 mice per group. NS, not significant.