Protective Effect of Moderate-Intensity Training and MgSo₄ Against Lithium-Induced Renal and Oxidative Damages in Rat...

Lithium (Li), as the first line of treatment in bipolar disorder, causes damage to many biological systems, including the kidneys, through the induction of oxidative stress. Magnesium sulfate (MgSo₄) and moderate-intensity training (MIT) can diminish the injury caused by Li due to reducing oxidative stress. In this study, we explore the effects of these two factors on Li-induced renal damage.

Seventy-two male rats were divided into 12 groups: control, MgSo₄ 80 mg/kg/day/ip, MIT, MgSo₄ + MIT, Li10 mg/kg/day/ip, Li10 + MgSo₄, Li10 + MIT, Li10 + MgSo₄ + MIT, Li40 mg/kg/day/ip, Li40 + MgSo₄, Li40 + MIT, and Li40 + MgSo₄ + MIT. All animals were under the exercise protocol for 6 weeks and received the drugs daily. A blood sample was obtained from the heart to measure blood urea of nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). The right kidney was excised and homogenized to measure malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the left kidneys were placed in 10% formalin to be referred to the laboratory for pathological investigations.

A significant increase in the serum levels of BUN and Cr in the Li40 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group indicates kidney tissue damage, which improved after administration of MgSo₄ and MIT. Treatment with Li10 mg/kg and Li40 mg/kg decreased the TAC, SOD, and GPx and increased the MDA in kidney tissue significantly, which improved after administration of MgSo₄ and MIT in comparison with the Li10 and Li40 groups.

The findings of this study indicated that exercise and MgSo₄ reduced the nephrotoxicity caused by Li via reducing oxidative stress.