鹿茸水提物减轻顺铂所致的小鼠肾损伤

目的:探讨梅花鹿二杠茸和三岔茸水提物对顺铂(CDDP)所致小鼠肾损伤的影响。方法:采用灌胃给药方式,用顺铂(15 mg/kg)诱导小鼠肾损伤模型,测定小鼠肾脏指数(KI)、血清肌酐(SCr)、血尿素氮(BUN)、肾脏组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量,并对肾脏组织进行HE染色,观察肾脏病理学变化,研究梅花鹿二杠茸和三岔茸的水提物各剂量对小鼠肾损伤的影响。结果:与顺铂组相比,各剂量鹿茸水提物可显著降低CDDP诱导肾损伤小鼠SCr、BUN水平及肾脏MDA含量,提高SOD和GSH-Px的活性(P0.05);明显改善肾组织病理学形态,减轻CDDP对肾小管上皮细胞的损伤程度,且同等浓度下,与三岔茸相比,二杠茸水提物能更好地改善肾功能及减轻病理损伤。结论:鹿茸水提物减轻顺铂引起的小鼠肾损伤,其作用机制可能与鹿茸水提物增强小鼠肾脏组织的抗氧化能力有关。     

肠缺血再灌注时肠粘膜抗氧化系统及肝、肾功能改变的实验研究

目的：研究肠缺血再灌注损伤时肠粘膜抗氧化系统的改变及对肝、肾功能的影响。 方法： 复制大鼠肠缺血再灌注模型，采用分光光度计生化测定方法检测肠粘膜的还原型谷胱甘肽GSH、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶GST、过氧化氢酶CAT、丙二醛MDA、超氧化物岐化酶SOD、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶GSH-Px及血清谷丙转氨酶ALT、谷草转氨酶AST、尿素氮BUN、肌酐Cr的改变。 结果： 肠粘膜MDA含量于再灌注2 h显著高于假手术组(P<0.05)，再灌注4 h较假手术组高116%(P<0.05)，24 h较前有所降低但仍高于假手术组(P<0.05)；GSH含量于再灌注2 h显著低于假手术组(P<0.05)，再灌注4 h低至假手术组的40%（P<0.01），12 h恢复；肠粘膜CAT、SOD和GSH-Px活性未见明显改变；GST活性于再灌注2 h较假手术组低39%，再灌注4 h达最低，较假手术组低43%(P<0.05)，12 h恢复至假手术组水平；血清ALT、AST、 BUN及Cr于再灌注2 h显著高于假手术组(P<0.05)，再灌注4 h分别较假手术组高208%、100%、103%、41%（P<0.01），24 h基本恢复。 结论： 肠缺血45 min再灌注使肠粘膜GSH含量和GST活性降低，MDA含量增加，并造成肝肾功能的可逆性损伤。     

异丙酚通过抑制JAK/STAT通路减轻肝冷缺血再灌注大鼠肾损伤

目的:探讨JAK/STAT信号通路在异丙酚减轻大鼠肝冷缺血再灌注后肾损伤中的作用。方法:SD大鼠随机分为4组(n=8):假手术组(sham组);肝冷缺血再灌注模型组(I/R组);异丙酚组(Pro组),于再灌注前5 min经右侧股静脉给予异丙酚20 mg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1)持续泵注30 min;JAK2抑制剂AG490组(AG490组),于建立模型前30 min腹腔注射AG490 10 mg/kg。再灌注6 h后处死大鼠,采集血样和肾组织标本,检测血清肌酐(Cr)、尿素氮(BUN)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的浓度及肾组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)的水平;观察肾组织的病理学改变,并进行肾小管损伤评分;检测肾组织细胞凋亡并计算凋亡指数(AI);检测p-JAK2、p-STAT_1和p-STAT_3的蛋白水平。结果:与sham组比较,I/R组血清的Cr和BUN浓度、肾组织的MDA含量、肾小管损伤评分及AI均明显升高,SOD活性降低,p-JAK2、p-STAT_1和p-STAT_3的蛋白水平显著上调(P0.05)。与I/R组相比,Pro组和AG490组的血清BUN和Cr浓度、肾组织的MDA含量、AI和肾小管损伤评分降低,SOD活性升高,p-JAK2、p-STAT_1和p-STAT_3蛋白水平显著下调(P0.05)。结论:异丙酚可减轻肝冷缺血再灌注后肾损伤,其机制可能与抑制JAK/STAT信号通路激活有关。     

Protective effects of nigella sativa against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

The aim of this study was focused on investigating the possible protective effect of NS against GS-induced nephrotoxicity. Twenty four Wistar-albino rats were divided into four equal groups as follows: control group, GS group (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal – i.p.), NSL+GS group (0.2 ml/kg+100 mg/kg i.p.) and NSH+GS group (0.4 ml/kg+100 mg/kg i.p.). Plasma creatinine and urea levels significantly increased as a result of nephrotoxicity in the GS group. Also, creatinine and urea levels significantly decreased in NSL+GS and NSH+GS groups. In the GS group, plasma MDA and NO levels increased significantly (p<0.05) and erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities decreased significantly (p<0.05) when compared with control group. NS administration with GS injection resulted in significantly decreased MDA and NO generation and increased SOD and GSH-Px activities when compared with GS group. Proximal tubular necrosis, vacuolation, desquamation and degeneration in epithelial cells of the proximal tubules, hyaline casts in tubular lumen, mononuclear cell infiltration, glomerular and basement membrane alterations were histopathologically detected in the kidneys of the GS group. Co-treatments with NS (low and high dose) considerably decreased the renal damage when compared with the GS group. In conclusion, NS acts in the kidney as a potent scavenger of free radicals to prevent the toxic effects of GS both in the biochemical and histopathological parameters.     

苦参素降低大鼠肾脏缺血-再灌注损伤

目的观察苦参素的抗大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的作用并从抗氧化方面探讨其机制。方法用双肾肾蒂夹闭45 min建立IRI模型,将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham);缺血再灌注组(I/R);苦参素治疗组(oxymatrine+I/R)。苦参素治疗组又分为高、中和低3个剂量组,在缺血再灌注前,连续7 d经腹腔注射。用自动生化仪测定血清肌酐(Scr)和尿素氮(BUN)水平,观察苦参素对肾缺血再灌注的保护作用及确定最优剂量;以最优剂量干预用分光分析法测定肾组织丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平。结果不同剂量组均能明显减轻肾脏IRI的病理形态学改变,改善肾功能。与I/R组相比,再灌注72 h后,MDA水平,血清肌酐(Scr)和尿素氮(BUN)水平明显降低(P<0.05);苦参素治疗组的CAT、T-SOD、GSH-Px活性改善明显(P<0.05)。苦参素无体外抗氧化作用。结论苦参素对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,作用机制可能与调控机体的抗氧化系统有关。     

Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by pravastatin in mice

This study investigated the protective effects of pravastatin against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and the possible mechanisms in mice. Pravastatin showed significant protection as evidenced by the decrease of elevated serum creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and improvement of histopathological injury induced by cisplatin. The formation of kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) with a concomitant reduction of reduced glutathione (GSH) were inhibited by pravastatin, while the activities of kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were increased. The over expressions of kidney induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine (3-NT) were suppressed by pravastatin. Pravastatin suppressed cisplatin-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in the kidney of mice. These results suggest that pravastatin pre-administration can prevent the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin. Pravastatin may exert the protective effect via inhibiting oxidative and nitrosative stress.     

肌肽对糖尿病肾病大鼠氧化应激及NF-κB信号通路的影响

目的　探讨肌肽对糖尿病肾病（DN）大鼠肾组织的保护作用及其对氧化应激、NF-κB信号通路的影响。 方法　60只SPF级8周龄雄性SD大鼠，随机选取12只为对照组，其余予以高糖高脂饮食+链脲佐菌素腹腔注射建立糖尿病模型。注射链脲佐菌素3 d后，将符合糖尿病标准大鼠随机分为模型组、肌肽（100、300、900 mg/kg）组。肌肽各组分别灌胃100、300、900 mg/kg肌肽，每日1次。8周后，检测空腹血糖（FBG）、血清肌酐（Scr）、尿素氮（BUN）、24 h尿微量白蛋白（mAlb）。PAS染色法观察大鼠肾形态学变化；试剂盒检测肾组织的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）含量；免疫组织化学及Western blot检测肾组织P-NF-κB P65蛋白的表达。 结果　 DN大鼠建模成功。与模型组相比，肌肽组肾组织病理损伤明显减轻。肌肽各组大鼠mAlb、FBG、BUN水平下降，呈量-效依赖性关系（P<0.05），而SOD、GSH、GSH-Px的含量逐级升高，同时MDA和P-NF-κB P65含量减少。 结论　肌肽对DN模型大鼠肾组织具有保护作用，其机制可能与抑制氧化应激和NF-κB信号通路异常激活有关。     

Protective effect of Salvia Miltiorrhizae injection on N(G)-nitro-d-arginine induced nitric oxide deficient and oxidative damage in rat kidney

N(G)-nitro-d-arginine (d-NNA) could convert into N(G)-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA) in vivo, and kidney is the major target organ. In the chiral inversion process, a number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated and NOS activity was inhibited, which may cause renal damage. Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), a traditional Chinese drug, was used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and chronic renal failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the kidney damage caused by d-NNA administration for 12 weeks and to evaluate the effects of treatment with SM on d-NNA-induced kidney damage. The rats, induced with d-NNA for period of 12 weeks, showed significant elevation of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine (Crea) and MDA levels, and significant decrease of SOD and GSH-Px activities, as compared with control group. In addition, the kidney of rats induced with d-NNA only showed remarkable histopathology, including severe mononuclear cell infiltration, mild tubular dilatation and congestion, and moderate interstitial desmoplasia. After 4 weeks SM treatment, the activity of SOD, GSH-Px and iNOS and the production of NO were significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the levels of BUN, Crea and MDA were significantly lower than that of d-NNA only group (P < 0.05). In addition, treatment with SM showed histopathological protection in tubular dilatation, congestion, mononuclear cell infiltration and interstitial desmoplasia. The present results indicate that the toxicity of d-NNA relates to its ability to generate oxidative stress and upregulate NOS activity in rat kidney. SM probably ameliorates d-NNA-induced nephrotoxicity in rats according to scavenging free radical and upregulating NOS activity.     

Involvement of oxidative stress in the mechanism of triptolide-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats

Triptolide is one of the most widely used and one of the most potent Chinese traditional herbal medicines. However, side effects, especially nephrotoxicity, limit the use of triptolide. It has been reported that oxidative stress is involved in drug-induced nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we focused on observing triptolide-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats and investigating whether or not oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of this process. The results showed that a single large dose peritoneal injection of triptolide caused severe oxidative stress characterized by significant decreases of renal SOD and GSH-Px activities, as well as significant increase of renal MDA content and also led to severe impairment of renal structure and function characterized by injury of renal tubules observed in HE-stained and TUNEL-stained slides and increases of Cre and BUN concentrations in a short time. However, pretreatment with the antioxidant vitamin C significantly ameliorated triptolide-induced depletion in renal SOD and GSH-Px activities, caused marked normalization of renal MDA content and also blunt the impairment of renal tubules and renal function. These results suggest that triptolide induces oxidative stress via impairing the antioxidant system, and oxidative stress contributes, at least in part, to the mechanism of triptolide-induced acute nephrotoxicity.     

Effect of metformin against cisplatin induced acute renal injury in rats: A biochemical and histoarchitectural evaluation

Although cisplatin has been a mainstay for cancer therapy, its use is limited mainly because of nephrotoxicity. Accumulating literature suggest the antioxidant and cytoprotective effect of metformin, a first line antidiabetic drug. With this background, we investigated the effect of metformin on the cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. A single injection of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) caused marked renal damage, characterized by a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr) and abnormal histo-architecture of kidney. These were accompanied by significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA), total reactive oxygen species (tROS) and caspase-3 levels and decreased antioxidant levels. Metformin treatment significantly attenuated the increase in malondialdehyde and tROS generation and restores the decrease in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. However metformin treatment did not prevent the cisplatin induced renal injury as there was no significant difference of renal function parameters (BUN and Cr), kidney histopathology as well as caspase-3 activity between cisplatin per se and metformin plus cisplatin treated rats. Histopathology studies revealed that similar glomerular and tubular pathological architecture in both cisplatin per se and cisplatin plus metformin group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that metformin is not an adjuvant drug to treat nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin therapy.     

Alterations in the erythrocyte antioxidant system of blood stored in blood bags

In the present study, we measured the concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GSH-S-T), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in erythrocytes obtained freshly from adult male donors which was preserved with CPDA-1 anticoagulant (citrate,phosphate, dextrose, adenine) on different days of storage. At the end of the study, storage-associated alterations in antioxidant activities were noted and discussed. GSH, GSH-Px, GSH-S-T, SOD, CAT and G-6-PD activities decreased, but erythrocyte MDA levels, as anindex of lipid peroxidation, increased during the storage period. According to our results, glutathione-dependent antioxidant systems in erythrocytes might be depleted during long storage in blood bags.     

Increased lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidney and their mitochondrial fractions following buthionine sulfoximine induced glutathione depletion in guinea pigs

Malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugates (DC) and vitamin C levels and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in the liver and kidney and their mitochondrial fractions of guinea pigs 48 h after the injection of L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), a glutathione (GSH) depleting agent. In BSO-induced GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and SOD activities were found to be increased but GSH-Px activities did not change in the liver and kidney and their mitochondrial fractions. In addition, vitamin C levels remained unchanged in the liver and kidney homogenates. These results indicate that GSH depletion may influence oxidative stress in the liver and kidney and their mitochondrial fractions of guinea pigs.     

The potential protective role of taurine against 5-fluorouracil-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male rats

Nephrotoxicity is common with the use of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). The current study aimed to investigate the probable protective effect of taurine (TAU) against 5-FU-induced nephrotoxicity in rats using biochemical, histological and ultrastructural approaches. Twenty-four rats were equally divided into control, TAU, 5-FU and 5-FU + TAU groups.5-FU significantly elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and uric acid; while it reduced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Also, 5-FU induced significant elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels accompanied with marked decline in γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels in kidney tissues. These biochemical alterations were accompanied by histopathological changes marked by destruction of the normal renal structure, in addition to ultrastructural alterations represented by thickened and irregular glomerular basement membranes, congested glomerular capillaries, damaged lining fenestrated endothelium, mesangial cells hyperplasia with expanded mesangial matrix, and distorted podocyte’s processes. Also, the proximal (PCT) and distal (DCT) convoluted tubules showed thickened basement membranes, destructed apical microvilli and loss of basal infoldings of their epithelial cells.Administration of TAU to 5-FU-treated rats reversed most of the biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural alterations. These results indicate that TAU has a protective effect against 5-FU-induced nephrotoxicity.     

非促分裂型人酸性成纤维细胞生长因子对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨非促分裂型人酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(nm-haFGF)对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的影响。方法：摘除大鼠左侧肾脏，随即夹毕大鼠右侧肾动脉60 min，24 h后松开动脉夹，建立肾缺血再灌注损伤模型。再灌注后5 min后，经舌静脉注射不同剂量的nm-haFGF，并用haFGF作为对照。24 h后取大鼠肾组织、血液和尿液，检测肾脏组织和血液中SOD、MDA以及血液和尿液中BUM、Cr的变化，并进行肾组织病理学检测。结果：缺血再灌注24 h后，nm-haFGF所有剂量组和haFGF组血清SOD活性明显高于模型组，MDA含量明显低于模型组，而血清和尿BUN和Cr含量均明显低于模型组；肾组织SOD活性在nm-haFGF 20 μg/kg和40 μg/kg剂量组和haFGF组明显升高而MDA含量明显降低。组织学检查结果显示，nm-haFGF可明显减轻缺血再灌注引起的肾组织水肿，肾小管刷状缘脱落和细胞坏死。结论：nm-haFGF可拮抗肾缺血再灌注引起的损伤。     

Oxidative stress and enzymatic antioxidant status in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological mechanism in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). To assess whether there are relationships between oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in the development of NASH, we investigated oxidative stress by measuring serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidant status by measuring serum glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The study included 18 patients (13 men, 5 women; mean age 42 yr) with biopsy proven NASH and 16 healthy volunteers (10 men, 6 women; mean age 38 yr). Serum levels of MDA, NO, GSH, GSH-Px, GR and SOD were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Serum levels (mean +/- SD) of MDA (6.7 +/- 1.6 vs 2.8 +/- 1.7 nmol/ml, p 0.0001), NO (135 +/- 28 vs 113 +/- 35 mmol/L, p 0.04), GSH (919 +/- 137 vs 770 +/- 128 mmol/L, p 0.003) were increased in patients with NASH vs controls. Serum levels of GSH-Px (1063 +/- 152 vs 1000 +/- 94 U/L) and GR (47 +/- 22 vs 40 +/- 21 U/L) were not singnificantly different in the patients vs controls. However, the serum level of SOD (1.24 +/- 0.32 vs 1.51 +/- 0.37 U/ml, p: 0.04) was significantly decreased. Impaired antioxidant defense mechanisms may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of NASH. Treatment approaches that affect the antioxidant enzymes may be beneficial in patients with NASH.     

Brief communication: omega-3 essential fatty acid supplementation and erythrocyte oxidant/antioxidant status in rats

Fish oil contains large amounts of essential omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaneoic acids, which are building structures of cell membranes. The goal of this study was to elucidate the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the oxidant/antioxidant status of erythrocytes in rats. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and the catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities were assayed in erythrocytes of male Wistar albino rats after 30 days of dietary supplementation with fish oil (0.4 g/kg/day). Erythrocyte CAT activity in the treated group was increased in comparison with the control group. Erythrocyte MDA and NO levels were lower in the treated group than the controls. Erythrocyte GSH-Px and SOD activities did not differ significantly in the 2 groups. Negative correlations were found between SOD and CAT activities, and between SOD and GSH-Px activities in the treated group. In conclusion, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation helps to prevent lipid peroxidation and to safeguard erythrocytes from oxidative injury. Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids might possibly protect tissues from oxygen free radical injury in the various diseases in which the oxidant/antioxidant defense mechanisms are disturbed.     

Antioxidant Status and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Chronic ITP

The aim of this study was to establish the antioxidant status and oxidative stress in adult patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Eighty‐four patients diagnosed with chronic ITP were studied. Fifty‐eight age‐matched healthy subjects were selected as controls. Serum nitrogen monoxide ( NO), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), superoxide dismutase(SOD), hydrogen peroxide enzyme (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione (GSH) were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It was found that serum SOD, CAT, GSH‐Px, GSH, TAS levels were significantly lower in patients with chronic ITP than controls (all P < 0.05), while serum NO, GSSG, MDA, TOS values were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The number of platelet showed a negative correlation with NO, GSSG, MDA, TOS, respectively,while platelet number showed a positive correlation with SOD, CAT, GSH‐Px, GSH, TAS. These findings suggested that oxidants were increased and antioxidants were decreased in patients with chronic ITP, these may be prominent factors in destructing the platelet membrane. The scavenging of oxygen radical provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of ITP patients.     

Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist abrogates lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity and oxidative stress in rat liver

Endotoxemia-induced hepatotoxicity is characterized by disturbed intracellular redox balance, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation inducing DNA, proteins and membrane lipid damages. In the present study, the protective effects of montelukast (MNT) against Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced oxidative stress were investigated in rat liver. LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected and the animals were sacrificed 6 h after LPS challenge. MNT (10 mg/kg) was administered orally for seven successive days before endotoxemia induction. Blood samples were withdrawn for assessing the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and levels of serum total bilirubin, total protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Livers were dissected out and used for histological examination or stored for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCC), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Sepsis significantly increased ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, total bilirubin, TNF-α and IL-1β, MPO, MDA and PCC levels and decreased total protein, GSH and enzymatic antioxidants (CAT, SOD and GSH-Px). MNT decreased the markers of liver injury (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and total bilirubin), inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-alpha, IL-1β), MDA, PCC and MPO after LPS challenge. In conclusion, MNT abrogates LPS-induced markers of liver injury and suppresses the release of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers via its antioxidant properties and enhancement enzymatic antioxidant activities.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone improves hepatic antioxidant systems after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits

This study evaluated the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the oxidant [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and antioxidant [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH)] systems in liver after renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 10: group I (sham operation), group II (renal IR group), and group III (DHEA, 25 mg/kg, s.c., 15 min pre-ischemia). Renal IR injury in group II caused a decrease of SOD (25%), GPx (36%), and CAT (26%) activities and GSH levels (32%), and increases of MDA (30%) in liver and of ALT and AST activities in serum, compared to group I. DHEA administration decreased the hepatic MDA level (19%) and serum ALT activity (30%) (p <0.01 and p <0.05, respectively), and considerably increased hepatic GSH levels and GPx activities (p <0.01 for both) in group III, compared to group II. These results suggest that DHEA treatment has beneficial effects on antioxidant defenses against hepatic injury after renal IR in rabbits, possibly by augmenting GSH levels and lowering MDA production.     

Protective role of curcumin in nephrotoxic oxidative damage induced by vancomycin in rats

Vancomycin (VAN) is a glycopeptide antibiotic which is active against gram positive bacteria including methicillin resistant Staphylococci. Free radicals are involved in the pathogenesis of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant potential of curcumin (CUR) against the nephrotoxicity of vancomycin in male rats. Animals used in this study were divided into four groups; the first group was used as control, the second, third and fourth groups were treated orally with curcumin (200 mg/kg BW/day), vancomycin (200 mg/kg BW/day, i.p.), vancomycin plus curcumin, respectively. Curcumin was administered 2 weeks before and 1 week simultaneously with vancomycin. Results showed that thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in plasma and kidney tissue were significantly increased after vancomycin administration. While, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in plasma and kidney tissue and the content of glutathione (GSH) in kidney tissue were decreased compared to control. Vancomycin significantly increased the levels of urea and creatinine. The presence of curcumin with vancomycin caused reduction in induction levels of TBARS in plasma and kidney, urea and creatinine. It ameliorated vancomycin-induced decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH. The presence of curcumin with vancomycin alleviated its nephrotoxic effects. It can be concluded that curcumin has beneficial influences and could be able to antagonize vancomycin nephrotoxicity.