Chronic supplementation of noni in diabetic type 1-STZ rats: effects on glycemic levels, kidney toxicity and exercise performance.

Noni is a fruit with potential medicinal use preventing elevated blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus. Its effects have been attributed to an antioxidant property in several other diseases. However, the effects of noni-chronic supplementation on exercise performance in the presence of diabetes conditions are not known. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were used to verify the effects of chronic noni (Morinda citrifolia L) juice administration on glycemia, triglyceride levels, and its relation to physical performance. In addition, it was verified if chronic noni supplementation is safe for clinical use through kidney morphology analysis. In half of the rats, diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced with STZ. All rats were submitted to an incremental workload running test (IWT) until fatigued so that oxygen consumption and performance indexes (exercise time to fatigue and workload) could be analyzed before noni administration. Then, the control and DM groups received a placebo (saline solution) or noni juice (dilution 2:1) at a dose of 2 mL/kg once a day for 60 days. The result was four groups: control + placebo (CP), control + noni (CN), DM + placebo (DMP), and DM + noni (DMN). Our dose was based on in previous study by Nayak et al. (2011) that observed a significant reduction in glycemia with 2 ml/kg of the noni juice without any toxicity effect cited. Groups were then given a third IWT to verify the effect of the noni juice on exercise performance (exercise time to fatigue, workload, maximal oxygen consumption) and glycemia. Twenty-four hours after the third test, all animals were euthanized and blood and kidneys were removed for posterior analysis. The DM induction with STZ impaired the performance by 39%. Noni administration improved the time to fatigue and workload in DM rats beyond reducing hyperglycemia. These results could be associated with an improved energy efficiency promoted by noni ingestion, since the oxygen consumption was not different between the groups, although the exercise was longer in animals with noni ingestion. Our results provided evidence that chronic noni administration causes kidney damage since increased Bowman's space area in the control rats, suggesting glomerular hyperfiltration at the same magnitude as the non-treated DM group.In conclusion, chronic noni ingestion promoted glycemic control and improved the performance in DM rats but caused kidney toxicity.

Exploring porcine kidney explants as a model for the study of nephrotoxins and the therapeutic potential of phytic acid.

The use of in vivo models to assess nephrotoxicity has faced ethical limitations. A viable alternative is the ex vivo model that combines the 3 R principles with the preservation of tissue histology. Here, we established a gentamicin nephrotoxicity model using pigs` kidney explants and investigated the effect of phytic acid (IP6) against gentamicin- induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 360 kidney explants were divided into control, gentamicin (10 mM), IP6 (5 mM), and gentamicin+IP6 groups. The activity of gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), creatinine levels, histological assessment, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokine expression were analyzed. Exposure to gentamicin induced an increase in GGT activity, creatinine levels, lesion score, lipoperoxidation and IL-8 expression. Explants exposed to IP6 remained like the control. The addition of IP6 to gentamicin prevented tissue damage, increasing the antioxidant status and gene expression of IL-10. This model proved to be an adequate experimental approach for identifying nephrotoxins and potential products to modulate the toxicity.

Haematological and renal toxicity of radiation therapy in neuroblastoma paediatric patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the renal and hematologic toxicity in paediatric patients with adrenal high-risk neuroblastoma who have received radiation therapy (RT) as part of radical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pediatric patients diagnosed with high-risk adrenal neuroblastoma who received RT as part of the definitive treatment between January 2004 and May 2020 in a single institution were selected. Complete blood counts (CBC) and creatinine clearance (CrCl) pre-RT and post-RT were compared through the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and correlated with survival analysis by Cox regression. RESULTS: Forty-two children with a median age of 3 years at diagnosis and 2.8 years of follow-up were selected. A significant and acute decrease in lymphocytes was found (p = 0.002) 1 month from RT. Patients with a drop higher than 50% of the previous value experimented a significant reduction in overall survival (55 vs 10%; p = 0.031). At the end of the follow-up, a significant increase in all blood counts was observed. With respect to renal function, an acute and significant decrease in CrCl was observed tin patients younger than 4 years who received RT (p = 0.013). However, it was not clinically relevant. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that acute lymphopenia occurs after RT and could be associated with a poorer prognosis. Other blood counts are reduced after RT and all of them are in physiological range at the end of follow-up. Our cohort presented excellent renal outcomes without any case of chronic renal dysfunction.

Benefits of D-005, a lipid extract from Acrocomia crispa fruits, in the prevention of acute kidney njury induced by nephrotoxicity in rats / Benefícios do D-005, um extrato lipídico de frutos da Acrocomia crispa, na prevenção de lesão renal aguda induzida por nefrotoxicidade em ratos

Abstract Introduction: Aminoglycoside-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a pathology closely linked to oxidative and inflammatory reactions. Taking into account the previous reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of D-005, a lipid extract obtained from Cuban palm Acrocomia crispa (Arecaceae) fruits, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of D-005 on kanamycin-induced AKI. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups: negative control (vehicle, Tween 65/H2O) and six groups treated with kanamycin to induce AKI: positive control (vehicle), D-005 (25, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and grape seed extract (GSE, 200 mg/kg). D-005, vehicle, and GSE oral treatments were administered once daily for seven days, 1 h before kanamycin (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Serum uric acid and urea concentrations, renal histopathology, and oxidative markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), sulfhydryl (SH) groups, and catalase (CAT) activity) were assessed. Results: D-005 significantly reduced uric acid and urea levels, starting from D-005 100 mg/kg. Histopathologically, D-005, at all the tested doses, protected renal parenchyma structures (glomeruli, proximal tubules, and interstitium). These findings were accompanied by a significant reduction of MDA and SH group concentrations as well as restoration of CAT activity. The highest percentages of inhibition were obtained with the dose of 400 mg/kg. GSE, the reference substance, also prevented kanamycin-induced biochemical and histopathological changes, as well as reduced MDA and SH groups and restored CAT activity. Conclusion: The administration of repeated oral doses of D-005 significantly protected against kanamycin-induced AKI, which could be associated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of this extract.

Resumo Introdução: Lesão renal aguda induzida por aminoglicosídeos é uma patologia intimamente ligada a reações oxidativas e inflamatórias. Considerando efeitos antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórios relatados anteriormente do D-005, um extrato lipídico de frutos da palmeira cubana Acrocomia crispa (Arecaceae), este trabalho avaliou efeitos do D-005 na LRA induzida por canamicina. Métodos: Dividiu-se ratos Wistar machos em 7 grupos: controle negativo (veículo, Tween 65/H2O) e seis grupos tratados com canamicina para induzir LRA: controle positivo (veículo), D-005 (25, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg) e extrato de semente de uva (ESU, 200 mg/kg). D-005, veículo, e tratamentos orais com ESU foram administrados uma vez por dia durante sete dias, 1 h antes da canamicina (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Avaliou-se concentrações séricas de ácido úrico e ureia, histopatologia renal e marcadores oxidativos (malondialdeído (MDA), grupos sulfidrila (SH), atividade de catalase (CAT)). Resultados: D-005 reduziu significativamente níveis de ácido úrico e ureia, partindo de D-005 100 mg/kg. Histopatologicamente, D-005, em todas as doses testadas, protegeu estruturas do parênquima renal (glomérulos, túbulos proximais e interstício). Estes achados foram acompanhados por uma redução significativa das concentrações de MDA e grupo SH, e pela restauração da atividade CAT. As maiores porcentagens de inibição foram obtidas com a dose de 400 mg/kg. ESU, a substância de referência, também evitou alterações bioquímicas e histopatológicas induzidas por canamicina, reduziu MDA e grupos SH e restaurou atividade CAT. Conclusão: A administração de doses orais repetidas de D-005 protegeu significativamente contra LRA induzida por canamicina, que pode estar associada aos efeitos antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórios deste extrato.

Protective Effects of Curcumin Against Formaldehyde-induced Renal Toxicity in Rats

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the protective effects of curcumin against renal injury induced by formaldehyde in rats. Methods: A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were included. The animals were divided into three groups. The control group received 10 ml/kg of physiological saline intragastrically and intraperitoneally on a daily basis. The formaldehyde group were given 10 ml/kg of physiological saline intragastrically plus 10 mg/kg of formaldehyde intraperitoneally. The formaldehyde + curcumin group received 10 mg/kg of intraperitoneal formaldehyde daily as well as 100 mg/kg of curcumin intragastrically. After the completion of 14 days, the kidneys were removed. Tissue microscopic examination was performed with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in tissue samples. Results: Formaldehyde induced renal injury. The degenerative tissue changes in the formal-dehyde + curcumin group seemed to regress, exhibiting similar characteristics to those of the controls. MDA, XO and NO were significantly higher in formaldehyde group than in controls, while a significant reduction occurred in SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities in the formaldehyde group. Also, renal tissue MDA, XO and NO were significantly lower in the formaldehyde + curcumin group than in the formaldehyde group, while tissue SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities were significantly higher. Conclusion: Curcumin improved the formaldehyde-induced renal degeneration. Also, curcumin was found to prevent the reduction in SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities, while preventing MDA, XO and NO levels, exhibiting a protective effect against the formaldehyde-induced oxidative renal injury.

preADMET analysis and clinical aspects of dogs treated with the Organotellurium compound RF07: A possible control for canine visceral leishmaniasis?

Tellurium compounds have been described as potential leishmanicides, bearing promising leishmanicidal and antimalarial effects. Therefore, the present study investigated the pharmacological potential of the organotellurane compound RF07 through preADMET parameters, such as absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. After studying the pharmacokinetic properties of RF07, studies were carried out on dogs naturally infected with visceral leishmaniasis after the administration of RF07, in order to assess pathophysiological parameters. Thus, dogs were divided into 4 groups with administration of daily intraperitoneal injections for 3 weeks (containing RF07 or placebo). During the trial, hematological parameters, renal and hepatic toxicity were evaluated. Serum urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, transaminases (GOT and GPT), as well as hemogram results, were evaluated before the first administration and during the second and third weeks after the start of the treatment. In dogs with VL, RF07 improved liver damage, regulated GPT levels and significantly decreased leukocyte count, promoting its regularization. These phenomena occurred at the end of the third week of treatment. The administration of RF07 promoted a significant decrease in the average levels of GOT and GPT after the third week of treatment and did not significantly alter the hematological parameters. The application of RF07 in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis suggests that it is an alternative to the disease, since the reversal of clinical signs in dogs with VL requires the use of 0.6 mg/kg.

Renal protective effects of vicenin-2 and scolymoside in a mouse model of sepsis

This study was initiated to determine whether 2 structurally related flavonoids found in Cyclopia subternata-vicenin-2 (VCN) and scolymoside (SCL)-could modulate renal functional damage in a mouse model of sepsis, and to elucidate the relevant underlying mechanisms. The potential of VCN and SCL treatment to reduce renal damage induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery in mice was measured via assessment of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lipid peroxidation, total glutathione, glutathione peroxidase activity, catalase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity. Treatment with either VCN or SCL resulted in elevated plasma levels of BUN and creatinine, and of protein in the urine of mice with CLP-induced renal damage. Moreover, both VCN and SCL inhibited nuclear factor κB activation and reduced the induction of nitric oxide synthase and excessive production of nitric acid. VCN and SCL treatment also reduced the plasma levels of interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, reduced lethality due to CLP-induced sepsis, increased lipid peroxidation, and markedly enhanced the antioxidant defense system by restoring the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in kidney tissues. The present results suggest that VCN and SCL protect mice from sepsis-triggered renal injury

Silymarin protects against radiocontrast-induced nephropathy in mice.

Silymarin, an extract from Silybum marianum (milk thistle) containing a standardized mixture of flavonolignans that ameliorates some types of liver disease and, more recently, kidney damage, could be used for the ROS-scavenging effect of these antioxidants. Furthermore, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an iatrogenic impairment of renal function in patients subjected to angiographic procedures for which there is not yet a successful preventative treatment. Recent evidence has shown that this event is related to tubular/vascular injury activated mainly by oxidative stress. However, whether this bioavailable and pharmacologically safe extract protects against CIN is not clear. We proposed to evaluate the possible protective role of the antioxidant silymarin in an experimental model of CIN. Adult male Swiss mice were separated into 6 groups and pretreated orally with silymarin (50, 200 and 300 mg/kg), N-acetylcysteine (200 mg/kg) or vehicle for 5 days before the CIN and control groups. Renal function was analyzed by plasma creatinine, urea and cystatin C levels. Additionally, blood reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated using ROS bioavailability, protein oxidation and DNA damage. Renal oxidative damage was evaluated using apoptosis/cell viability assays and histological analysis. We showed that silymarin preserved renal function and decreased systemic and renal oxidative damage (antigenotoxic and antiapoptotic properties, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner and was superior to conventional treatment with N-acetylcysteine. Histologically, silymarin treatment also had beneficial effects on renal glomerular and tubular injuries. Therefore, silymarin prophylaxis may be an interesting strategy for the prevention of CIN.