Involvement of catalase in the protective effect of binaphthyl diselenide against renal damage induced by glycerol

In the present study, the protective effect of binapthyl diselenide [(NapSe)₂] was investigated on glycerol-induced renal damage in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with (NapSe)₂ (50 mg/kg, orally) or vehicle. After 24 h (NapSe)₂ treatment, the animals received an intramuscular injection of glycerol (8 ml/kg, dissolved in saline) or vehicle as a divided dose into the hind limbs. Twenty-four hours afterwards, rats were euthanized and the levels of urea and creatinine were measured in plasma. Non-protein thiol (NPSH) levels and catalase (CAT) activity were evaluated in renal homogenates. Histopathological evaluations were also performed in kidneys of rats. The rats exposed to glycerol presented swelling of the proximal and distal tubules with evidence of cell damage and death. Glycerol-exposed rats presented an increase in renal failure markers (plasmatic urea and creatinine levels) and a reduction in renal CAT activity. No change was observed in NPSH levels in kidneys of rats exposed to glycerol. (NapSe)₂ protected against the alterations caused by glycerol in rats. (NapSe)₂ increased per se NPSH levels (33%) in kidneys of rats. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that treatment with (NapSe)₂ protected against renal damage induced by glycerol in rats, probably due to its antioxidant effect.