Renoprotective Effects of Sesamol in Ferric Nitrilotriacetate-Induced Oxidative Renal Injury in Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the renoprotective effect of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol (sesamol) on ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced renal toxicity. Rats were pretreated with sesamol (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg, p.o.) 30 min. prior to administration of ferric nitrilotriacetate (8 mg iron/kg, i.p.) to determine the blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels along with renal oxidative stress. Challenge with ferric nitrilotriacetate markedly increased the blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, which was coupled with a marked lipid peroxidation, reduced activity of glutathione and decreased total nitric oxide levels in rat kidneys. It also produced significant renal morphological alterations and increased serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels. Pretreatment with sesamol significantly reduced the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, lipid peroxidation, restored levels of reduced glutathione and increased total renal nitric oxide levels. It also attenuated the increased tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels and restored the normal morphology of the kidneys. Present findings strongly suggest the pivotal role of oxidative stress in the ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced renal dysfunction and points towards the renoprotective potential of sesamol in oxidative renal pathologies.