In this study, the effect of hematopoietic cytokines, i.e., granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), stem cell factor (SCF), and granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), on renal function was Studied in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure in mice. Treatment with G-CSF significantly ameliorated both BUN and serum creatinine increase induced by cisplatin administration with concomitant alleviation in the degree of necrotic change, enhancement in DNA synthesis, and decrease in apoptosis of renal tubular cells. There was no significant change observed among these parameters following treatment with SCF or with GM-CSF. Serum hepatocyte growth factor level was significantly lower in mice treated with cisplatin and G-CSF compared with that in those treated with cisplatin only. In conclusion, G-CSF, but not SCF or GM-CSF, acts to accelerate regeneration and prevent apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and leads to reduced renal injury in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure in mice. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.