Renal protective effect of hesperidin on gentamicin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the renoprotective effect of hesperidin (HDN), a citrus flavanoid with anti-oxidant properties against gentamicin (GEN)-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats.

METHODS: Urea, uric acid, creatinine, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide (NO), total cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglyceride levels were measured in the serum. Further, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined in the erythrocytes. Morphological changes in renal tissues were examined using light microscopy.

RESULTS: Acute renal injury was evidenced by: (1) increased serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, TBARS, and NO, (2) decreased SOD, GPx, and GSH levels, and (3) necrosis in proximal tubules and glomerular atrophy. HDN supplementation to GEN-induced rats significantly decreased serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, TBARS, NO generation, but SOD, GPx activities, and GSH content increased when compared with GEN alone. Moreover, HDN supplementation resulted in complete reversal of GEN-induced tubular necrosis, and an increase in total cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglycerides to normal levels.

DISCUSSION: Our results suggested that HDN acts as a potent scavenger of free radicals in the kidney to prevent the toxic effects of GEN both at the biochemical and histopathological levels.