ABSTRACT
Gentamicin [GM] is widely used as a bactericidal agent for the treatment of severe gram negative infections. However, its clinical use is partially limited due to its nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to investigate a possible protective role of vitamin E and / or deferoxamine against GM nephrotoxicity. Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats by GM [80 mg/ kg/d, IP] for 8 days characterized by increased serum creatinine, blood urea and renal malondialdehyde [MDA], decreased serum albumin in addition to proximal tubular necrosis. Treatment of rats with iron [8 mg/kg/d, IM] for 8 days with GM significantly potentiated GM-induced increases in serum creatinine, blood urea and renal malondialdehyde, decreased serum albumin and exacerbated renal histological damage. Deferoxamine [100 mg/kg/d, IP] was given for 11 days significantly reduced GM-induced increases in serum creatinine, blood urea and renal malondialdehyde, and ameliorated proximal tubular damage. Similarly, pretreatment of rats with vitamin E [250 mg/kg/d, orally] for 11 days with GM given during the last 8 days of treatment, was effective in GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Combined use of deferoxamine and vitamin E was more effective in mitigating disturbances in the assessed parameters. The present work indicates that vitamin E [due to antioxidant activity] and deferoxamine [due to iron chelating and antioxidant activities] have potential protective effects against GM nephrotoxicity