Evaluation of Efficacy of Vitamin E and N-Acetyl Cysteine in Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Gentamicin (GM), an aminoglycoside, is widely employed in clinical practice for the treatment of serious gram-negative infections. The clinical utility of GM is limited by the frequent incidence of acute renal failure. This study was designed to investigate treatment and posttreatment renoprotective potential of vitamin E and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against GM-induced oxidative stress and renal dysfunction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: first group is the control group that received olive oil (0.1 mL/100 g B. W.), second is the one that was treated with GM (80 mg/kg/i.p./8 days), third is the one that was treated with GM (80 mg/kg/i.p./8 days) and vitamin E (50 mg/kg/i.p./8 days), fourth is the one that was treated with GM (80 mg/kg/i.p./8 days) and NAC (50 mg/kg/i.p./8 days), fifth is the one that was treated with GM (80 mg/kg/i.p./8 days), vitamin E (50 mg/kg/i.p./8 days), and NAC (50 mg/kg/i.p./8 days), and sixth is the one that was treated with GM initially for 8 days (at 80 mg/kg/i.p.) after which vitamin E (at 50 mg/kg/i.p.) and NAC (at 50 mg/kg/i.p.) were administered for 8 days. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum glucose, renal malondialdehyde, renal reduced glutathione, urine sodium, fractional excretion of sodium, and histopathological examination of kidney were performed after treatment. Gentamicin treatment caused nephrotoxicity as evidenced by marked elevation in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde, urine sodium, and fractional excretion of sodium. Study of renal morphology showed marked loss of epithelium in proximal convoluted tubule, inflammatory infiltrate in the form of lymphocytes, mainly in interstitium. Treatment and posttreatment with vitamin E and NAC significantly restored renal functions, reduced lipid peroxidation, enhanced reduced glutathione level, and restored the biochemical parameters. The results of this study demonstrate the therapeutic potential of vitamin E and NAC in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.