Agmatine improves renal function in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Gentamicin is an antibiotic known to cause nephrotoxicity.
• Oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in gentamicin-induced kidney injury.
• Agmatine is a compound with known nitric oxide synthase inhibitory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of agmatine against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model.
• To evaluate the impact of agmatine on renal structural and functional parameters following gentamicin administration.
• To assess agmatine's influence on gentamicin-induced alterations in urinary bladder sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Male Wistar albino rats were divided into control, gentamicin, and gentamicin + agmatine groups.
• Nephrotoxicity was induced using gentamicin (100 mg/kg, i.p.).
• Agmatine was administered orally (40 mg/kg). Renal function, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory mediators, and histopathology were assessed. Bladder ring sensitivity to acetylcholine was also evaluated.

Main Results:

• Agmatine administration significantly reduced kidney/body mass ratio, serum creatinine, LDH, MDA, MPO, NO, and TNF-α levels.
• Agmatine treatment increased creatinine clearance and renal SOD activity.
• Histological examination showed amelioration of kidney tissue damage, and agmatine reduced bladder hypersensitivity to ACh.

Conclusions:

• Agmatine demonstrates significant protective effects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
• Agmatine attenuates renal injury by mitigating oxidative stress, reducing lipid peroxidation, restoring nitric oxide levels, and inhibiting inflammatory mediators.
• Agmatine shows potential as a therapeutic agent to prevent or reduce gentamicin-associated kidney damage.