Protective effects of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) on vancomycin-induced oxidative nephrotoxic damage in rats.

CONTEXT: Vancomycin (VCM), an important antibiotic against refractory infections, has been used to treat secondary infections in severe COVID-19 patients. Regrettably, VCM treatment has been associated with nephrotoxicity. Vitamin D3 can prevent nephrotoxicity through its antioxidant effect. OBJECTIVE: This study tests the antioxidant effect of vitamin D3 in the prevention of VCM-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar Albino rats (21) were randomly divided into 3 groups: (A) control; (B) VCM 300 mg/kg daily for 1 week; and (C) VCM plus vitamin D3 500 IU/kg daily for 2 weeks. All the rats were sacrificed and serum was separated to determine kidney function parameters. Their kidneys were also dissected for histological examination and for oxidative stress markers. RESULTS: Lipid peroxidation, creatinine, and urea levels decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) in the vitamin D3-treated group (14.46, 84.11, 36.17%, respectively) compared to the VCM group that was given VCM (MIC<2 µg/mL) only. A significant increase was observed in superoxide dismutase levels in the vitamin D3-treated group (p < 0.05) compared to rats without treatment. Furthermore, kidney histopathology of the rats treated with vitamin D3 showed that dilatation, vacuolization and necrosis tubules decreased significantly (p < 0.05) compared with those in the VCM group. Glomerular injury, hyaline dystrophy, and inflammation improved significantly in the vitamin D3 group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively) compared with the VCM group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D3 can prevent VCM nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the appropriate dose of this vitamin must be determined, especially for those infected with COVID-19 and receiving VCM, to manage their secondary infections.

The Preventive Role of Pioglitazone in Glycerol-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Rats during Two Different Treatment Periods.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is the most life-threatening complication of rhabdomyolysis. Glycerol is commonly used to induce this injury. The aim was to investigate the renoprotective effects of pioglitazone and the possible advantage of administering the drug for a longer period. METHODS: Twenty-four male Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6/group): (A) control, (B) glycerol (50%, 10 mL/kg intramuscularly), (C) glycerol+pioglitazone (10 mg/kg orally for 3 days), and (D) glycerol+pioglitazone (for 6 days). Serum urea and creatinine levels were measured to assess the renal function. Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and histological alterations were also measured. Statistical analysis was performed using Prism (version 6). The numerical data were evaluated by ANOVA, followed by the Tukey tests. The categorical data were evaluated by the Mann-Whitney test and the Fisher exact tests. P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In the glycerol-injected rats, the serum urea and creatinine levels were increased (P<0.001), while the GSH levels were decreased (P<0.001) compared to Group A. The nephrotoxicity showed significant tubular (P=0.01) and glomerular (P=0.02) injuries. In the pioglitazone-treated rats, the changes in the serum biomarkers and in the GSH levels were reversed in Group C (P=0.01) and in Group D (P=0.01). The microscopic examinations of the kidneys also showed some improvement. No obvious statistically significant difference was found between these 2 preventive groups in most studied features. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that pioglitazone might have nephroprotective effects in this injury model. Pioglitazone succeeded in producing this effect within 3 days. Doubling the drug administration period did not produce any significant superior benefit.

Antibacterial Activity of Various Plants Extracts Against Antibiotic-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila.

BACKGROUND: Aeromonas hydrophila cause one of the most important diseases in fishes and lead to economic losses, and may be contaminated human beings. OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to investigate the anti-bacterial activity shown by the extracts prepared from different parts of Olea europea, Myrtus communis, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinuis officinalis, and Achillea falcata that grow in Syria against A. hydrophila that causes the most dangerous bacterial diseases in fish. MATERIALS AND METHODS: THE STUDY WAS PERFORMED IN FOUR STAGES: First of all, the presence of A. hydrophila was investigated in 450 Samples of Cyprinus Carpio fish using blood agar, Trypticase soya agar, and Analytical Profile Index (API20E). Secondly, the plants extract was obtained using water, absolute alcohol, then ether using Soxhlet extraction apparatus and rotary vacuum evaporator. Thirdly, the antibacterial activity of some antibiotics on these bacteria was evaluated by disk diffusion method. Finally, the antibacterial effect of the extracts was determined by disk diffusion method. RESULTS: The studied antibiotics showed no antibacterial activity against these bacteria, except amikacin which had an acceptable effectiveness. However, the ethanol extracts of the studied plants revealed different antibacterial effects against A. hydrophila which showed antibiotic resistant. T. vulgaris extract had the strongest effect, whereas O. europea extract had the weakest activity. The water and ether petroleum extracts had no antibacterial activities. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol extracts of the studied plants had different antibacterial effects against antibiotic-resistant A. hydrophila. T. vulgaris had the highest activity, R. officinalis had the second, and M. communis and A. falcate were in the third place, while the O. europea had the weakest antibacterial activity.