Protective effects of rutin against potassium bromate induced nephrotoxicity in rats

BACKGROUND

Rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, was investigated for its protective effects against the KBrO(3) induced renal injuries in rat.

METHODS

Group I was control (untreated), group II was given saline 0.5 ml/kg bw (0.9% NaCl), group III was administered KBrO(3) (20 mg/kg bw) intragastric twice a week for four weeks. Rutin was administered to group VI (50 mg/kg bw) and Group V (70 mg/kg bw) along with KBrO(3) (20 mg/kg bw) while group VI was given rutin (70 mg/kg bw) alone twice a week for four weeks. Protective effects of rutin on KBrO(3)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats were determined for biochemical parameter of urine, and serum, various antioxidant enzymes, DNA and histopathological damages in kidneys.

RESULTS

The level of urinary red blood cells, leucocytes count, specific gravity, urea, creatinine and urobilinogen was increased (P<0.01) whereas creatinine clearance was reduced. Serum level of protein, albumin, globulin, nitrite, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was significantly increased (P<0.01) by KBrO(3). Marked histopathological lesions, elevated DNA fragmentation and AgNORs count in renal tissues was determined. Activity of antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and reduced glutathione contents were decreased (P<0.01) while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were increased (P<0.01) with KBrO(3) treatment in kidneys. DNA ladder assay was intimately related with the DNA fragmentation assay. Telomerase activity was found positive in the KBrO(3) treated kidneys. Treatment with rutin effectively ameliorated the alterations in the studied parameters of rat. Rutin administration alone to rats did not exhibit any significant change in any of the parameters studied.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that rutin works as an antioxidant in vivo by scavenging reactive oxygen species and this serves to prevent oxidative renal damage in rat treated with KBrO(3).

Carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: protective role of Digera muricata

Digera muricata is used in renal disorders in folk medicine. Generation of reactive radicals has been implicated in carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity, which are involved in lipid peroxidation, accumulation of dysfunctional proteins, leading to injuries in kidneys. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Digera muricata on the kidney function in CCl(4)-induced injuries. CCl(4) treatment (5 ml/kg body wt., i.p. CCl(4):olive oil; 1:9) significantly increased the level of urine creatinine, protein, nitrite, urobilinogen, red blood cells (RBCs), leucocytes count, and levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Level of proteins and DNA fragmentation %, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) count in renal tissues was also significantly increased. Activity of antioxidant enzymes; catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione (GSH) were decreased while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) were increased with CCl(4) treatment. DNA ladder assay was intimately related with the DNA fragmentation assay. Telomerase activity was determined in the CCl(4)-treated renal tissue homogenate. Treatment with n-hexane (HDMP) and methanolic (MDMP) extracts of Digera muricata (200 and 250 mg/kg body wt., oral, respectively) effectively attenuated the alterations in the biochemical markers, telomerase activity was inhibited and confirms the restoration of normalcy and accredits the protective role of Digera muricata against CCl(4)-induced nephrotoxicity.

Telomeres and telomerases: intimations of immortality

There is a constant balance in cancer cells between division and death. The malignant phenotype is associated with a continuing cell cycle or 'immortalization'. Telomeres, structures that cap the chromosomes, are related to cell longevity and are regulated by a ribonucleoprotein called telomerase. This review describes the possible roles of telomeres and telomerase in the malignant process.