Ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol protect anticancer drug cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in mice: a comparative...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Oxidative stress contributes to immune deregulation and complications in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
• Reactive oxygen species and free radicals mediate nephrotoxicity induced by the anticancer drug cisplatin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the nephroprotective effects of antioxidant vitamins C and E against cisplatin-induced oxidative renal damage in mice.
• To compare the efficacy of vitamin C and vitamin E as nephroprotective agents.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving cisplatin-induced oxidative renal damage in mice.
• Administration of varying doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol).
• Assessment of renal function via serum urea and creatinine levels, and evaluation of antioxidant status in kidney homogenates.

Main Results:

• Both vitamins at 500 mg/kg significantly protected against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (P<0.01).
• Vitamins reduced elevated serum urea and creatinine levels and increased reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations.
• Higher vitamin doses (500 mg/kg) restored declining renal antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx) and inhibited lipid peroxidation.

Conclusions:

• Higher doses of antioxidant vitamins are effective in protecting against oxidative renal damage.
• Vitamin C exhibits superior nephroprotective properties compared to vitamin E.
• The protective mechanism involves mitigating the decline in renal antioxidant status.