Inhibition of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity by ascorbic acid and pyridoxal hydrochloride

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to compare the capability of blockade of gentamicin nephrotoxicity by either ascorbic acid [vitamin C] or pyridoxal hydrochloride [vitamin B6] and to evaluate whether their combination has a better protective effect than either alone, as manifested by changes in the serum urea and creatinine levels as well as the histological renal changes. For this purpose, 70 male Wister albino rats were equally divided into 7 groups. A negative control group receiving distilled water, a positive control group receiving vitamin C alone, a positive control group receiving vitamin B6, rats receiving gentamicin alone, rats receiving gentalicin as well as vitamin C, rats receiving gentamicin in addition to vitamin B6, and finally rats receiving gentamicin, vitamin C and vitamin B6. Our results showed that, vitamin B6 plays a better role in the protection against gentamicin nephrotoxicity than vitamin C, moreover, the combination of these two vitamins produced a better protection than either vitamin alone. Strict adherence to the prescribed dose of the aminoglycoside preparations especially gentamicin is required. In addition, a combination of vitamin C and vitamin B6 could provide adequate protection against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxitiy