NEPHROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CURCUMIN AGAINST CYCLOSPORINE A-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RAT MODEL

The aim: The current study was designed to examine the possible Nephroprotective effects of CMN in preventing nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by chronic administration of CsA in rats.

Materials and methods: This study consisted of four groups and each group was made up of 8 rats. The first group was considered as a control group (received vehicle (0.9%N/S orally, and olive oil S.C), and the rest included the following: CMN group (received CMN in a dose of 30mg/kg/day orally), CsA group (received CsA in a dose of 20mg/kg/day S.C), and CMN plus CsA combination group (received CMN (30mg/kg/day, orally) plus CsA (20mg/kg/day, S.C) for 21days). For each group, the following variables wereassessed: Serum urea concentration, Serum creatinine concentration, initial body weight, final body weight, Tissue MDA level, Tissue GpX1 level, Tissue CAT level, Tissue SOD level, and tissue IL-2 level, and histopathological examination.

Results: Mean levels of serum urea and creatinine, tissue MDA, tissue IL-2, and histopathological scores are significantly (P<0.05) increased in the CsA group compared with the control, and CMN groups (normal renal tissue). Tissue SOD, CAT, and GpX1 activities are significantly (P<0.05) decreased in the CsA group compared with the control, and CMN group. Concomitant administration of CMN with CsA resulted in significantly (P<0.05) lower elevated levels of MDA, serum urea, and creatinine, significantly higher levels of antioxidant enzymes, and normalization of the altered renal morphology compared with CsA treated rats.

Conclusions: CMN has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the kidney from CsA's toxicity.