Protective effect of dexpanthenol in tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Organ transplantation extends life expectancy; however, tacrolimus, a key immunosuppressant, carries risks of nephrotoxicity. This study explores dexpanthenol's potential to protect against tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity. This study was conducted using 30 male Wistar-Albino rats (aged 4 months, weighing 250-300 g), randomly divided into four groups. The control group received 0.5 cc of saline solution (SF) once daily, the TAC group received 0.4 mg/kg tacrolimus, the DEX group received 500 mg/kg dexpanthenol, and the TAC + DEX group received 0.4 mg/kg tacrolimus and 500 mg/kg dexpanthenol intraperitoneally. Biochemical parameters and kidney damage were assessed on day 14, with tissues examined by blinded pathologists using hematoxylin-eosin staining.The effects of tacrolimus on oxidative balance and the potential protective properties of dexpanthenol were investigated. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0 software, with a p-value of < 0.05 considered significant. No significant differences were found between the groups for TAS (p = 0.827), TOS (p = 0.596), OSI (p = 0.575), SOD (p = 0.952), and NO (p = 0.365) values. However, significant differences were observed in IL-6 (p = 0.008), CRP (p = 0.034), TNF-alpha (p = 0.014), TGF-β (p = 0.012), MDA (p = 0.001), urea(p = 0.005), and creatinine (p = 0.002) levels. Pathological examination revealed significant findings in Bowman capsule expansion (p = 0.003), the presence of mitosis (p = 0.005), vasa recta leukocyte infiltration (VRLI) (p = 0.007), tubular regeneration (p = 0.004), tubular dilation (p = 0.003), tubular necrosis (p = 0.048), cast formation (p = 0.020), and loss of the brush border (p = 0.019). The only parameter without a significant difference among the groups was interstitial inflammation (p = 0.559). This study shows that dexpanthenol provides limited protection against tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity and requires further validation.