Benefical effects of lycopene against contrast medium-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis in rat kidney.

Currently, the number of imaging and interventional procedures that use contrast agents (CAs) is gradually increasing. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the most important CA-related complication. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in its pathophysiology. Lycopene (LPN) is a natural substance with strong antioxidant capacity. The present study aimed to investigate the potential preventive effects of LPN against CIN. In total, 28 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups with 7 rats in each group; the groups include normal control group, LPN only group at a dose of 4 mg/kg/day for 10 days, CIN group by administering 10 mg/kg furosemide IM + 10 mg/kg indomethacin IP + 10 ml/kg iomeprol IV following 24-h dehydration, and CIN + LPN group. There were statistically significant increase in urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.001, for all) but a significant decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels (p < 0.001, for all) in the CIN group compared with the control group. On histological examination, a significant increase of infiltrated inflammatory cells and necrotic degenerative changes were observed in the CIN group and the immunohistochemical examination revealed a significant increase in inflammation (inducible nitric oxide synthase), autophagy (LC3/B), and apoptosis (cleaved caspase 3) in the CIN group compared with the control group (p < 0.05, for all). Significant improvements in these unfavorable parameters were observed with CIN + LPN group compared with the CIN only group. In conclusion, the favorable effects of LPN as an anti-inflammatory, antiautophagic, and antiapoptotic agent in an experimental model of CIN have been demonstrated.

Protective effect of curcumin against contrast induced nephropathy in rat kidney: what is happening to oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis?

BACKGROUND: Currently, the number of imaging and interventional procedures that use contrast agents (CAs) is gradually increasing. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in its pathophysiology. Curcumin (CC) is a natural substance with strong antioxidant efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 24 male Wistar-albino rats were divided into four groups with seven rats in each group. RESULTS: Biochemical measurements showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA) but a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in the contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) group compared with the control group. The immunohistochemical examination revealed a significant increase in autophagic and apoptotic cell death ratios and in the inflammatory signal (p < 0.05). Compared with the CIN group, a significant improvement in these unfavorable parameters was observed with CC therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The preventive efficacy of CC against an experimental model of CIN has been demonstrated.

Psychological and emotional status, and caregiver burden in caregivers of patients with peritoneal dialysis compared with caregivers of patients with renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the relationship between caregivers of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and of renal transplant (Tx) patients with regard to sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and overall burden. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of prevalent caregivers of CAPD patients and of renal Tx patients used a multidimensional instrument to assess the association of sleep quality, depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as burden using a Zarit Burden Interview. Among the 113 caregivers who participated in this study, 53 were in the Tx and 60 in the CAPD group. RESULTS: The overall mean age was 40.7 ± 13.6 years. The proportions of age, gender, income, and education level were similar between the 2 groups. Caregivers of peritoneal dialysis patients had significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared with the Tx group (P = .039 and P = .003, respectively). Good sleep quality rates for caregivers of Tx versus CAPD patients were 88.7% (n = 47) and 61.7% (n = 37), respectively. Poor sleep quality was significantly higher among caregivers of CAPD compared with those for Tx patients (P = .001). Caregiver burden scores were significantly higher in caregivers of CAPD patients compared with Tx patients (P < .001). Upon logistic regression analysis, caregivers of CAPD patients were 2.61 times (95% confidence interval, 1.03-6.59; P = .043) higher than the caregiver burden risk than those for Tx patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study indirectly indicated that renal Tx improves the life quality and decreases psychiatric symptoms among caregivers of ESRD patients.