C₆₀ Fullerene Promotes Restoration of Kidney Function After Chronic Glyphosate Intoxication

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Nephrology
• Nanomedicine

Background:

• Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, is linked to chronic kidney injury.
• Developing effective treatments for glyphosate-induced renal dysfunction is crucial in biomedicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the therapeutic potential of C60 fullerenes, as antioxidants, in mitigating glyphosate-induced kidney damage.
• To evaluate the recovery of renal function after chronic glyphosate exposure and C60 fullerene treatment.

Main Methods:

• Male Wistar rats were exposed to glyphosate (10 mg/kg/day) for 16 weeks.
• The experimental group received C60 fullerene aqueous solution (1 mg/kg/day) for two weeks post-glyphosate exposure.
• Renal function was assessed via blood creatinine, urea, glomerular filtration rate, and electrolyte balance; oxidative stress markers and kidney histology were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• Glyphosate exposure led to elevated creatinine and urea, reduced GFR, electrolyte imbalance, and increased oxidative stress markers (SOD, catalase).
• C60 fullerene treatment resulted in an average improvement of 20 ± 2% in biochemical parameters.
• Histological analysis corroborated the biochemical findings, indicating kidney tissue recovery.

Conclusions:

• C60 fullerenes demonstrate significant therapeutic effects in counteracting glyphosate-induced kidney injury.
• The antioxidant properties of C60 fullerenes attenuate oxidative stress, promoting recovery of kidney filtration, tubular, and metabolic functions.
• C60 fullerenes represent a promising therapeutic strategy for managing herbicide-induced nephrotoxicity.