Background/aim: The aim was to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of ghrelin, which has antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity, on preventing kidney damage that occurs by induced partial ureteral obstruction in rats.Materials and methods: Twenty-eight adult male rats were included in the study, and the rats were divided into 4 groups. After the laparotomy operation on the sham group, the ureter was identified in the retroperitoneal area and was duly sutured (n = 7). Ghrelin was administered for seven days intraperitoneally, and after the nephrectomy performed on the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed (n = 7). A partial ureteral obstruction was performed after the laparotomy on the PUO group. The rats were sacrificed after the nephrectomy operation performed on the 15th day (n = 7). A partial ureteral obstruction was formed after the laparotomy followed by seven days of waiting in the PUO + ghrelin group. Ghrelin was given in the dose of 10 ng/kg per day intraperitoneally for the next 7 days, and the rats were sacrificed after the nephrectomy operation performed on the 15th day (n = 7). All groups were evaluated for histological damage and catalase, superoxide dismutase, total glutathione, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase levels were measured in the same tissues.Results: When the 2nd group and the sham group were compared histologically, it was observed that the damage had increased by a statistically significant level in the partial ureteral obstruction group (P = 0.001). When the group which was ghrelin-treated after the partial ureteral obstruction was compared to the group with just partial ureteral obstruction, the histopathological changes were found to decrease significantly in that group (P = 0.001). While the statistical significance of the levels of CAT, GSH, and MPO enzymes was detected among biochemical changes in the 2nd group when compared to the sham group (P < 0.01), the 3rd group showed a statistically significant difference in the levels of SOD and GSH enzymes compared to the 4th group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Ghrelin administration to rats after the formation of an experimental partial unilateral ureteral obstruction reduces tissue damage due to ghrelin's antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects. Ghrelin administration may prevent tissue damage biochemically and histopathologically in obstructive uropathy cases.