Protective effect of the grape seed proanthocyanidin extract in a rat model of contrast-induced nephropathy

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common cause of hospital-acquired acute renal failure. Although it is so common, there has been no approved therapy yet. We aimed to investigate the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on preventing CIN.

24 rats were divided into four groups as control group, GSPE group, contrast medium (CM) group, and CM+GSPE group. The experiment was discontinued on the ninth day. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of renal function parameters. Renal tissues of the rats were removed for the analysis of oxidative system parameters. In addition to renal histopathology, transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) was performed to determine apoptosis.

There was a significant increase in BUN, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, apoptotic index (AI) and histopathological alteration in the CM group as compared to the control group. Furthermore, BUN, creatinine, MDA, total oxidant system and oxidative stress index levels, AI as well as renal histopathological alteration were significantly decreased in the CM+GSPE group.

For the first time in the literature, we showed that GSPE provided biochemical and histopathological improvement in CIN. Our findings revealed that this improvement was associated with the decrease in oxidative damage and apoptosis.