Protective effect of serum thymic factor, FTS, on cephaloridine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Serum thymic factor (FTS), a thymic peptide hormone, has been reported to increase superoxide disumutase (SOD) levels in senescence-accelerated mice. In the present study, we examined the effect of FTS on cephaloridine (CER)-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo and in vitro. We previously reported that CER led to extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) activation in the rat kidney. So, we also investigated whether FTS has an effect on ERK activation induced by CER. Treatment of male Sprague-Dawley rats with intravenous CER (1.2 g/kg) for 24 h markedly increased BUN and plasma creatinine levels and urinary excretion of glucose and protein, decreased creatinine clearance and also led to marked pathological changes in the proximal tubules, as revealed by electron micrographs. An increase in phosphorylated ERK (pERK) was detected in the nuclear fraction prepared from the rat kidney cortex 24 h after CER injection. Pretreatment of rats with FTS (50 microg/kg, i.v.) attenuated the CER-induced renal dysfunction and pathological damage. FTS also suppressed CER-induced ERK activation in the kidney. In vitro treatment of the established cell line, LLC-PK1 cells, with FTS significantly ameliorated CER-induced cell injury, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Our results, taken together with our previous report that MEK inhibitors ameliorated CER-induced renal cell injury and ERK activation induced by CER, suggest that FTS participates in protection from CER-induced nephrotoxicity by suppressing ERK activation induced by CER.     

Concomitant lansoprazole ameliorates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by inhibiting renal organic cation transporter 2 in rats

Cisplatin is used widely for the treatment of multiple solid tumors. Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is caused by renal accumulation of cisplatin via human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2). As lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, is known to inhibit hOCT2 activity, lansoprazole might ameliorate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. A previous study showed that concomitant lansoprazole administration ameliorated nephrotoxicity in patients receiving cisplatin. However, the detailed mechanism remains to be clarified. In the present study, the drug–drug interaction between lansoprazole and cisplatin was examined using hOCT2-expressing cultured cells and rat renal slices. Moreover, the effect of lansoprazole on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin in rats was investigated. In the uptake study, lansoprazole potently inhibited the uptake of cisplatin in hOCT2-expressing cultured cells and rat renal slices. The in vivo rat study showed that concomitant lansoprazole significantly ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and reduced the renal accumulation of platinum up to approximately 60% of cisplatin alone at 72 h after cisplatin intraperitoneal administration. Furthermore, the renal uptake of platinum at 3 min after intravenous cisplatin administration in rats with cisplatin and lansoprazole decreased to 78% of rats with cisplatin alone. In addition, there was no significant difference in the plasma platinum concentration between rats treated with and without lansoprazole at 3 min after cisplatin intravenous administration. These findings suggested that concomitant lansoprazole ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by inhibiting rOCT2-mediated cisplatin uptake in rats, thus decreasing cisplatin accumulation in the kidney. The present findings provided important information for the establishment of novel protective approaches to minimize cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Vitamin C attenuates cisplatin-induced alterations in renal brush border membrane enzymes and phosphate transport

Cisplatin is a widely used antineoplastic agent that exhibits dose limiting nephrotoxicity. We have previously shown that the administration of cisplatin results in decrease in the activities of renal brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes and transport of inorganic phosphate (Pi) across BBM vesicles. In the present study we have investigated the effect of pre-treatment with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and changes in BBM enzymes and Pi transport. Administration of a single dose of cisplatin (6 mg/kg body weight) caused nephrotoxicity in rats that manifested biochemically as an elevation of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Treatment of rats with a single dose of vitamin C, six hours prior to administration of cisplatin, protected the kidney from the damaging effect of cisplatin. Vitamin C pre-treatment significantly decreased the urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. It attenuated the cisplatin-induced reduction in the activities of BBM and anti-oxidant enzymes and also Pi transport. These results suggest that vitamin C is an effective chemoprotectant against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure and dysfunction of the renal BBM in rats.     

Mechanisms of Cisplatin nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin is a widely used and highly effective cancer chemotherapeutic agent. One of the limiting side effects of cisplatin use is nephrotoxicity. Research over the past 10 years has uncovered many of the cellular mechanisms which underlie cisplatin-induced renal cell death. It has also become apparent that inflammation provoked by injury to renal epithelial cells serves to amplify kidney injury and dysfunction in vivo. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of cisplatin nephrotoxicity and discusses how these advances might lead to more effective prevention.     

Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is associated with oxidative stress, redox state unbalance, impairment of energetic metabolism and apoptosis in rat kidney mitochondria

The clinical use of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II) is highly limited by its nephrotoxicity. The precise mechanisms involved in cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney have not been completely clarified. Therefore, we investigated in vivo the effects of cisplatin on mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox state, and oxidative stress as well as the occurrence of cell death by apoptosis in cisplatin-treated rat kidney. Adult male Wistar rats weighing 200–220 g were divided into two groups. The control group (n = 8) was treated only with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of saline solution (1 ml per 100 g body weight), and the cisplatin group (n = 8) was given a single injection of cisplatin (10 mg/kg body weight, i.p.). Animals were sacrificed 72 h after the treatment. The cisplatin group presented acute renal failure characterized by increased plasmatic creatinine and urea levels. Mitochondrial dysfunction was evidenced by the decline in membrane electrochemical potential and the substantial decrease in mitochondrial calcium uptake. The mitochondrial antioxidant defense system was depleted, as shown by decreased GSH and NADPH levels, GSH/GSSG ratio, and increased GSSG level. Moreover, cisplatin induced oxidative damage to mitochondrial lipids, including cardiolipin, and oxidation of mitocondrial proteins, as demonstrated by the significant decrease of sulfhydryl protein concentrations and increased levels of carbonylated proteins. Additionally, aconitase activity, which is essential for mitochondrial function, was also found to be lower in the cisplatin group. Renal cell death via apoptosis was evidenced by the increased caspase-3 activity. Results show the central role of mitochondria and the intensification of apoptosis in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure, highlighting a number of steps that might be targeted to minimize cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Proteasome inhibitors prevent cisplatin-induced mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor and markedly ameliorate cisplatin nephrotoxicity

We demonstrate the effect of proteasome inhibitors in mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in cisplatin-exposed renal tubular epithelial cells (LLC-PK₁ cells) and in a model of cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation studies revealed cisplatin-induced translocation of AIF from the mitochondria to nucleus. Mcl-1, a pro-survival member of the Bcl-2 family, is rapidly eliminated on exposure of renal cells to cisplatin. Proteasome inhibitors PS-341 and MG-132 blocked cisplatin-induced Mcl-1 depletion and markedly prevented mitochondrial release of AIF. PS-341 and MG132 also blocked cisplatin-induced activation of executioner caspases and apoptosis. These studies suggest that proteasome inhibitors prevent cisplatin-induced caspase-dependent and -independent pathways. Overexpression of Mcl-1 was effective in blocking cisplatin-induced cytochrome c and AIF release from the mitochondria. Downregulation of Mcl-1 by small interfering RNA promoted Bax activation and cytochrome c and AIF release, suggesting that cisplatin-induced Mcl-1 depletion and associated Bax activation are involved in the release of AIF. Expression of AIF protein in the mouse was highest in the kidney compared to the heart, brain, intestine, liver, lung, muscle, and spleen. In an in vivo model of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, proteasome inhibitor MG-132 prevented mitochondrial release of AIF and markedly attenuated acute kidney injury as assessed by renal function and histology. These studies provide evidence for the first time that the proteasome inhibitors prevent cisplatin-induced mitochondrial release of AIF, provide cellular protection, and markedly ameliorate cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. Thus, AIF is an important therapeutic target in cisplatin nephrotoxicity and cisplatin-induced depletion of Mcl-1 is an important pathway involved in AIF release.     

Effect of buthionine sulphoximine, glutathione and methimazole on the renal disposition of cisplatin and on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: pharmacokinetic-toxicodynamic analysis

The aim of this study was to classify the protective mechanisms of DL-buthionine-(S,-R)-sulphoximine, glutathione and methimazole on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. An Emax model was used to study the effect of these compounds on the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin, especially renal handling and intra-renal biotransformation. Cisplatin (5 mg kg(-1)) was administered as an intravenous bolus to rats treated with either 0.9% NaCl (control), buthionine sulphoximine, glutathione or methimazole. The blood urea nitrogen level was monitored to estimate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. To estimate renal handling of cisplatin, cisplatin was infused intravenously to rats treated with 0.9% NaCl, buthionine sulphoximine, glutathione or methimazole. The concentrations of unchanged cisplatin in plasma, urine and kidney were determined by a post-column derivatization HPLC method. The relationship between the pharmacokinetics and toxicodynamics of cisplatin was analysed using a sigmoid Emax model. All compounds studied ameliorated significantly the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin. The renal accumulation of cisplatin was reduced significantly by pretreatment with buthionine sulphoximine but not by either glutathione or methimazole. Although glutathione treatment did not affect the renal accumulation of cisplatin, it significantly decreased the binding of cisplatin to the intrarenal organelle and the decreased binding was well correlated to the decrease of the blood urea nitrogen level. In summary, pharmacokinetic-toxicodynamic analysis will be useful for classifying the protective mechanism of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Selective iNOS inhibition reduces renal damage induced by cisplatin

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of several cancer tumors; however, nephrotoxicity has restricted its use. Reactive oxygen species and peroxynitrite, which is formed by the reaction between superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO*), are implicated in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. In contrast, both toxic and beneficial effects of NO* have been suggested in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, nowadays the role of NO* in this experimental model remains controversial. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the role of NO* in cisplatin-induced renal damage using N-[3-(aminomethyl)benzyl]acetamidine (1400W), a selective and irreversible inhibitor of iNOS. The mRNA levels of iNOS were increased in cisplatin-treated rats. The administration of 1400W reduced the cisplatin induced histological damage, renal dysfunction (increase in proteinuria and kidney injury molecule expression and decrease in creatinine clearance), tubulointerstitial infiltration, oxidative stress (increase in renal malondialdehyde and inmmunostaining for 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal) and nitrosative stress (immunostaining for 3-nitrotyrosine). In addition, the administration of 1400W was unable to modify systolic blood pressure in control rats. Our data demonstrate that selective iNOS inhibition reduces the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and nitrosative stress which strongly suggest that in this experimental model (1) the NO* production is toxic and (2) iNOS is the main source of NO*.     

Protective effects of L-arginine against cisplatin-induced renal oxidative stress and toxicity: role of nitric oxide

Nephrotoxicity is a dose-limiting factor in clinical use of cisplatin. The changes in renal haemodynamics were suggested to play a role in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of modulation of nitric oxide on the severity of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity using an experimental rat model. A nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, L-NAME were used. After six days of cisplatin injection, acute nephrotoxicity was demonstrated by a marked increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Histological examination of the kidneys confirmed the occurrence of renal damage. Moreover, cisplatin induced an increase in the level of lipid peroxides and oxidized glutathione and a depletion of reduced glutathione. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were also lowered. Besides, there was a reduction in the kidney total nitrate/nitrite levels. L-arginine significantly attenuated the oxidative stress and nephrotoxic effect of cisplatin. On the other hand, L-NAME was found to aggravate cisplatin nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, the decrease in the kidney nitric oxide level contributes, at least in part, in the mechanism underlying the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin. Furthermore, L-arginine shows nephroprotective effects and might be useful in improving the therapeutic index of cisplatin.     

Role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an active component of propolis, against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

We have investigated the effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Administration of a single dose of cisplatin resulted in the elevation of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in serum, as well as nitric oxide in kidney tissue of rats. Cisplatin also caused reduction of catalase (P < 0.0001), superoxide dismutase (P = 0.149) and glutathrone peroxidase (P < 0.0001) activities in kidney tissue. Although cisplatin caused elevation in malondialdehyde levels and myeloperoxidase activities in kidney tissue, they were not statistically significant. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester was found to be protective against cisplatin-induced antioxidant enzyme reductions. Treatment with free-radical scavenger CAPE attenuated the increase in plasma blood urea nitrogen and kidney nitric oxide levels, and showed histopathological protection against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. Extensive epithelial cell vacuolization, swelling, desquamation and necrosis were observed in the kidney of the cisplatin-treated rat. There were also larger tubular lumens in cisplatin-treated rats than those of the control and the CAPE groups. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester caused a marked reduction in the extent of tubular damage. It is concluded that administration of cisplatin imposes an oxidative stress to renal tissue and CAPE confers protection against the oxidative damage associated with cisplatin. This mechanism may be attributed to its free-oxygen-radical scavenging activity.     

Resveratrol attenuates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin is an antitumor drug widely used in the treatment of many malignant tumors. However, the most common adverse effect, nephrotoxicity, limits the use of this drug in many cancer patients. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that presents highly efficient protection in experimental nephrotoxicity models. This study evaluated the effect of resveratrol on cisplatin-induced kidney damage. Male Wistar rats were treated with resveratrol (25 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) before the administration of cisplatin (5 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) and killed 2 or 5 days later. Blood and urine samples were collected and the kidneys were removed. Rats from the cisplatin group showed acute tubular cell necrosis and increased immunostaining for ED1 (macrophages/monocytes) and T-lymphocytes in the renal cortex and outer medulla when compared with the control group. These alterations were less intense in animals pre-treated with resveratrol. Moreover, indicators of renal injury such as increased serum creatinine levels, urinary volume and urinary protein caused by the administration of cisplatin, were also significantly reduced with resveratrol. Increased lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion in tissue were attenuated by resveratrol. In conclusion, resveratrol attenuated the cisplatin-induced structural and functional renal changes by reducing free radicals and inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltrates.     

Role of extracellular signal—regulated kinase in free radical—induced injury in kidney of rats treated with cephaloridine

We examined the role of a down stream of intracellular signaling pathway,extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK),in cephaloridine (CER)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.The increase in phosphorylated ERK(pERK,activated ERK) was detected in nucleus fraction prepared from rat kidney cortex 24h after injections of antibiotic CER with the increase in BUN level.The slices prepared from rat kidney cortex were incubated in the medium containing PD980-59,a MEK1/2 inhibitor,for the measurement of free radical production and cell injure(LDH leakage).CER caused not only the increases in lipid peroxidation as an index of free radical production and LDH leakage,but also ERK activation in nucleus fraction.MEK1/2 inhibitor ameliorated CER-induced injury and suppressed ERK activation in the slices.These results suggest a possible role of MEK/ERK signaling pathway in free radical-induced CER nephrotoxicity.     

The effects of oral glutamine on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

The antioxidant activity of the amino acid glutamine was investigated to obtain protection against peroxidative damage in rat kidney and nephrotoxicity induced by the treatment with a single dose of the antitumoral cisplatin (5mgkg(-1) body weight). The animals were divided into four treatment and control groups of six rats each (n=6). Cisplatin was injected i.p. and glutamine (300mgkg(-1) body weight) was given by gavage 24h before the cisplatin injection. After 24h and 7 days of cisplatin administration, the rats were sacrificed. A single dose of cisplatin resulted in significant reduction in body weight and creatinine clearance, and higher urinary volumes were observed in all groups treated with this antitumor drug (P<0.05). Renal tissue from cisplatin-treated rats showed an increase in malondialdehyde production and increase in glutathione contents 24h and 7 days after cisplatin administration. Pretreatment of rats with glutamine substantially inhibited the increase in the levels of renal glutathione induced by cisplatin 24h after the i.p. injection. The malondialdehyde in the renal tissues was significantly reduced 7 days after cisplatin treatment. However, the reduction in the peroxidative damage did not reach the value of the control group. The protective effects obtained by glutamine pretreatment in peroxidative alterations were not observed in the other parameters studied. These results suggest that glutamine partially protect against cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation damage, but it was not enough to inhibit cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.     

Natural products: potential treatments for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin is a clinically advanced and highly effective anticancer drug used in the treatment of a wide variety of malignancies, such as head and neck, lung, testis, ovary, breast cancer, etc. However, it has only a limited use in clinical practice due to its severe adverse effects, particularly nephrotoxicity; 20%–35% of patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI) after cisplatin administration. The nephrotoxic effect of cisplatin is cumulative and dose dependent and often necessitates dose reduction or withdrawal. Recurrent episodes of AKI result in impaired renal tubular function and acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, uremia, and hypertensive nephropathy. The pathophysiology of cisplatin-induced AKI involves proximal tubular injury, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular injury in the kidneys. At present, there are no effective drugs or methods for cisplatin-induced kidney injury. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies show that numerous natural products (flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, polysaccharide, phenylpropanoids, etc.) have specific antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties that regulate the pathways associated with cisplatin-induced kidney damage. In this review we describe the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and summarize recent findings in the field of natural products that undermine these mechanisms to protect against cisplatin-induced kidney damage and provide potential strategies for AKI treatment.     

An Extract of Rhodobacter sphaeroides Reduces Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice

Cisplatin is used as a treatment for various types of solid tumors. Renal injury severely limits the use of cisplatin. Renal cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation contribute to cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Previously, we found that an extract of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (Lycogen™) inhibited proinflammatory cytokines and the production of nitric oxide in activated macrophages in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model. Here, we evaluated the effect of Lycogen™, a potent anti-inflammatory agent, in mice with cisplatin-induced renal injury. We found that attenuated renal injury correlated with decreased apoptosis due to a reduction in caspase-3 expression in renal cells. Oral administration of Lycogen™ significantly reduced the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in mice with renal injury. Lycogen™ reduces renal dysfunction in mice with cisplatin-induced renal injury. The protective effects of the treatment included blockage of the cisplatin-induced elevation in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine. Meanwhile, Lycogen™ attenuated body weight loss and significantly prolonged the survival of mice with renal injury. We propose that Lycogen™ exerts anti-inflammatory activities that represent a promising strategy for the treatment of cisplatin-induced renal injury.     

Dendritic Cell Protection from Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity Is Independent of Neutrophils

Cisplatin is a very effective chemotherapeutic agent used against a wide range of solid tumors. A major adverse effect of cisplatin therapy is acute kidney injury (AKI). Neutrophils are reported to infiltrate and exacerbate injury in a wide range of sterile inflammatory models of tissue injury. Here, we studied the kinetics of neutrophil infiltration into kidneys and their role in cisplatin-mediated AKI. Mice treated with cisplatin showed an increase in circulating neutrophils 24 and 48 h after cisplatin administration. Cisplatin treatment caused an increase in kidney leukocytes with neutrophils accounting for the majority of the infiltrating leukocytes. The extent of neutrophil infiltration coincided with the severity of kidney injury and renal dysfunction. To examine the functional relevance of infiltrating neutrophils in cisplatin nephrotoxicity, we depleted neutrophils using a neutrophil-specific antibody (anti-Ly-6G). This antibody resulted in greater than 90% depletion of neutrophils in both the blood and kidney. Of note, depletion of neutrophils had no impact on the extent of cisplatin-induced AKI as compared to non-depleted mice. Earlier, we reported that dendritic cell depletion in CD11c-DTRtg mice causes exacerbation of AKI and a dramatic increase in renal neutrophils. Thus, we also examined the role of neutrophils in dendritic cell-depleted mice treated with cisplatin. Dendritic cell depletion exacerbated AKI in spite of neutrophil depletion. These data demonstrate that cisplatin nephrotoxicity is not mediated by neutrophils and that dendritic cells protect kidneys via neutrophil-independent mechanisms.     

Protective role of phosphatidylcholine against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity and oxidative stress in rats

Although cisplatin is widely used in the treatment of cancers, clinical use of cisplatin is limited due to its nephrotoxicity. Pathophysiological mechanism of cisplatin-induced renal toxicity is a complex process and has not been fully understand. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress have been presumed to be involved in this damage process. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) has antioxidant effect and prevents oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate potential protective effects of PC on cisplatin-induced renal damage in rat. We examined the protective effects of PC on cisplatin-induced renal damage by assessment of serum creatinine, BUN, lipid peroxidation, total glutathione, glutathione peroxidase activity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity and histophathological changes. PC ameliorated cisplatin-induced increases in serum creatinine, urea and oxidative stress. PC also decreased tubular degeneration and hypertrophy of glomeruli. PC may have a protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats via enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.     

Protective effects of capsaicin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is related to an increase in lipid peroxidation and oxygen free radicals in a kidney. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the dietary antioxidants, capsaicin (Cap), against cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and nephrotoxicity in rats. Nephrotoxicity induced by treatment with a single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg body weight i.p.). The animals were divided into 4 groups. Cap (10 mg/kg/d) was given by gavage from the same day of cisplatin injection. Cisplatin administration resulted in significant increases in the kidney weight as a percentage of the total body weight, urine volume, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen by about 132, 315, 797, and 556% in comparison with the control rats, respectively (p < 0.05). Also, the renal tissue from the cisplatin-treated rats showed significant decreases in the kidney glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismustase (SOD) activity and a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) production in comparison to the values at 0 h (p < 0.05). Seven days after Cap plus cisplatin treatments, the renal damage induced by cisplatin recovered to a significant statistically level. In addition, Cap prevented the rise of MDA and the reduction of SOD activities. These results suggest that Cap has protective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in rats.     

Effects of lycopene against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (group 1) received physiological saline; animals in group 2 received only cisplatin; a 10 days of lycopene pre-treatment was applied to the animals in group 3 before administration of cisplatin; a 5 days of lycopene treatment was performed following administration of cisplatin for the animals in group 4. Cisplatin (7 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected as a single dose and lycopene (4 mg/kg) was administered by gavage in corn oil. Biochemical and histopathological methods were utilised for evaluation of the nephrotoxicity. The concentrations of creatinine, urea, Na+ and K+ in plasma and levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione as well as glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were determined in kidney tissue. Administration of cisplatin to rats induced a marked renal failure, characterized with a significant increase in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations. Na+ and K+ levels of rats received cisplatin alone were not significantly different compared to control group, but they had higher kidney malondialdehyde, and lower reduce glutathione concentrations, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities. Lycopene administration produced amelioration in biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in both plasma and kidney tissues when compared to group 2; pre-treatment with lycopene being more effective. Results from this study indicate that the novel natural antioxidant lycopene might have protective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat.