Ameliorative effect of chitosan nanoparticles against carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats

Context Chitosan is a biocompatible polysaccharide that has been widely exploited in biomedical and drug delivery applications. Objective This study explores the renoprotective effect of chitosan nanoparticles in vivo in rats. Materials and methods Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared via ionotropic gelation method, and several in vitro characterizations were performed, including measurements of particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups; negative control, CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity (untreated), and two groups receiving CCl4 + chitosan NPs (10 and 20 mg/kg) orally for 2 weeks. The renoprotective effect was assessed by measuring oxidative, apoptotic, and inflammatory biomarkers, and via histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations for the visualization of NF-kappa B and COX-2 in renal tissues. Results Monodisperse spherical nanosized (56 nm) particles were successfully prepared as evidenced by dynamic light scattering and TEM. Oral administration of chitosan nanoparticles (10 and 20 mg/kg) concurrently with CCl4 for 2 weeks resulted in 13.6% and 21.5% reduction in serum creatinine and increase in the level of depleted reduced glutathione (23.1% and 31.8%), respectively, when compared with the positive control group. Chitosan nanoparticles (20 mg/kg) revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde levels (30.6%), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (33.6%), interleukin-1 beta (31.1%), and caspase-3 (36.6%). Conclusions Chitosan nanoparticles afforded significant protection and amelioration against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, chitosan nanoparticles could afford a potential nanotherapeutic system for the management of nephrotoxicity which allows for broadening their role in biomedical delivery applications.

Automated summary

This study explores the renoprotective effect of chitosan nanoparticles in vivo in rats. The results show that chitosan nanoparticles can significantly reduce the level of creatinine, increase the level of reduced glutathione, and decrease the levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-1 beta.