Studies on nephrotoxicity aspirin and gentamicin in combination in rats

Aspirin [ASA] and gentamicin [GM] are widely used by many patients in Egypt. The aim of this work was to investigate the nephrotioxic effect GM and in combination with administration of ASA in rats. 28 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the present work. They were divided ino 4 equal group. The second group was injected with ASA, third group was given GM and the fourth group was given combination of GM and ASA. The biochemical indices measured were body weight, urine volume, plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. When ASA and GM were used in combination, a marked increase in the nephrotoxic parameters was observed. A signficiant increase in plasma creatinine, blood urea and urine volume. Electron microsopic examination confirmed the extensive renal damage following combined administration of ASA and GM. The intertubular spaces were greatly wide and loaded with thick bundles of collagen fibrils and many inflammatory interstitial cells. The cytoplasm of the severely affected tubular cells were loaded with heavy aggregations of many large myeloid bodies as well as heterogeneous lysosomes containing masses of electron-dense deposits and sequestrated organelles. Multivesicualr bodies and residual bodies containing lipid droplets were also noticed, however, the size and number of these inclusion were more frequently encountered than in any of the other treated group of animals. There were occasional thickening of the lamina densa of the capillary basement membrance and fusion of the foot preocesses of podocytes. The thickened endothelial lining of the glomerular basement membrane was observed to affect more expanded sections of the glomerular capillaries with more obliteration of its fenestrae. The capillary lumen and the urinary spaces also contained many cellular bedris. In conclusion, the results of this study clearly indicate that ASA potentiates the severity of GM nephrotoxicity within two weeks of treatment when both drugs were given concurrently; and the possibility that interaction might increase the nephrotoxic risk associated with gentamicin administration should be taken in consideration. So, these results recommend to aviod the use of this combination especially in high persons with compromised renal function