The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) has been successfully used in several diseases with immunological basis and in transplant patients. Nephrotoxicity is the main secondary effect of CsA treatment.The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of dietary fish oil (F.O.) on CsA-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Eighty male rats were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 rats received no drugs and served as control, group 2 normal rats were treated with (dietary fish oil) omega-3 fatty acids 270 mg/kg b.w oral dose daily, group 3 rats treated with CsA (25 mg/kg body weight, orally for 21 days) to induce nephrotoxicity, groups 4 rats received dietary fish oil for 21 days before, 21 days concurrently during CsA administration and 21 days later after nephrotoxicity induction. Blood samples for serum separation and kidney tissue specimens were collected three times at weekly interval from the last dose of CsA administration. Serum glucose, total Protein, albumin, lipid profile(total cholesterol, triacylglycerols and phospholipids), renal function tests( urea, uric acid and creatinine), electrolytes(sodium and potassium), inorganic phosphorus and haptoglobin levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT) activities were determined. Moreover, kidney tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant capacity(TAO) levels, antioxidant enzymes(catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were also determined. The results revealed that, CsA-induced nephrotoxicity caused significant increase in serum glucose, renal functions tests, haptoglobin, lipid profiles and serum marker enzymes (LDH and GGT) with significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin and electrolytes concentrations which were reversed upon treatment with dietary fish oil. Also, CsA administration induced significant elevation in lipid peroxidation(MDA) along with significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities, non enzymatic antioxidant, total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide level in the rat kidney. Meanwhile, Dietary fish oil administration improved renal function, by bringing about a significant decrease in peroxidative levels and increase in antioxidant status. These results indicate the renoprotective potential and usefulness of dietary fish oil, as an excellent source of antioxidants, in modulating CsA-induced nephrotoxicity. |
