The effects of vitamin E on tissue oxidation in nephrotoxic (anti-glomerular basement membrane) nephritis

The effects of vitamin E on tissue oxidation, kidney function and morphology were studied in rats with nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN). Thirty-six nephritic animals received no treatment (group 1), while 36 were treated with vitamin E (group 2). Twenty-four hours after the administration of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody, sulfhydryl-containing renal protein was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (0.70 +/- 0.16 and 1.08 +/- 0.06 mmol/100 g kidney tissue, respectively), suggesting a free oxygen radical scavenging effect of vitamin E in group 2. The difference was similar on day 14. The creatinine clearance was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 on day 1 (40 +/- 30 and 204 +/- 60 microliter/min per 100 g body weight, respectively). The protein excretion was initially high in both groups, but a significant decrease was detected in group 2 relative to group 1 on day 14 (25 +/- 18 and 92 +/- 38 mg/24 h, respectively). The morphological changes were less severe in group 2. Vitamin E treatment did not alter any of the above values significantly in healthy animals. The release of oxygen free radicals in NTN might play an important role in the pathogenesis, which can be influenced by free radical scavengers through changes in kidney function and morphology.