Evaluation of the Kidney Extract on Gentamicin Induced- Nephrotoxicity in Rat

Nephroprotective effect of Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth leaves on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

RELEVANCE

Rudgea viburnoides, popularly known as "congonha-de-bugre" or "erva de bugre", is used in folk medicine as hypotensive, blood depurative, anti-rheumatic, diuretic and in the treatment of kidney and bladder pain.

AIM

Based on the popularly acclaimed nephron-protective effect of R. viburnoides, we investigated, using rats, the protective effect of this plant extract on gentamicin-induced kidney injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Urinary volume, water and food intakes were assessed in adult male Wistar rats (naive or gentamicin-induced model of nephrotoxicity) treated with R. viburnoides extract. Also blood and kidney samples were collected for further laboratory and histological analyses.

RESULTS

R. viburnoides leaves extract improved renal function. It also improved the renal function impairments caused by gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity, as revealed by glomerular filtration rate, urine output and proteinuria.

CONCLUSION

R. viburnoides exert renoprotective effect, which may support its popular use for renal diseases treatment.

Nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress of single large dose or two divided doses of gentamicin in rats

Gentamicin (GS) is a potent antimicrobial exhibiting concentration dependent bacterial killing. A high dose ofgentamicin (10 mg kg(-1)) is required to reach sufficient concentrations in specific fluids as cerebrospinal fluid and to be effective on antibiotics resistant bacteria as well as treatment of acute and dangerous illness. Using a rat model, the renal toxicity and oxidative stress of administering gentamicin (10 mg kg(-1) daily for 7 days) either in a single dose or divided into 2 doses was investigated. The safety of dose regimens was assessed through oxidant-antioxidant parameters as well as renal function tests. Typical renal damage and high oxidative stress were evident in the control group receiving 100 mg kg(-1) gentamicin daily for 7 days. This was verified by high serum urea, uric acid, creatinine as well as increase in the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers as malondialdehyde, NO, total antioxidant capacity and decrease in reduced glutathione level. At any of the used regimen, 10 mg kg(-1) gentamicin did not provide high compromise for renal functions nor significantly increased the oxidative stress and tissue damage. Based on microscopic lesions scores and biochemical analysis, there were no significant differences between single or two divided dosages of gentamicin at dose rate of 10 mg kg(-1) day(-1). Further studies are required for applications in other animals of human subjects.

Blood chemical changes and renal histological alterations induced by gentamicin in rats

Gentamicin is an effective widely used antibiotic, but the risk of nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage limit its long-term use. Hence, the current study aims to elucidate such hazardous effects. To achieve the study aim male Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were exposed to gentamicin to investigate the resultant blood chemical changes and renal histological alterations. In comparison with control rats, gentamicin produced outstanding tubular, glomerular and interstitial alterations that included degeneration, necrosis, cytolysis and cortical tubular desquamation together with mesangial hypercellularity, endothelial cell proliferation and blood capillary congestion. Compared with control animals significant blood chemical changes (P < 0.05) including free radicals, ALT, AST, ALP, serum creatinine and serum urea were recorded in gentamicin-injected animals. The findings revealed that exposure to gentamicin can induce significant histological alterations in the kidney as well as remarkable blood chemical changes that might indicate marked renal failure.