Gender differences in response to vitamin E and C in gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats

• Published in: Journal of nephropathology Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 338 - 345
• Main Authors: Safari, Tahereh, Miri, Saideh, Ghofran, Omid, Fereidooni, Fatemeh, Niazi, Abbass Ali, Bagheri, Hossein, Nematbakhsh, Mehdi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society of Diabetic Nephropathy Prevention 01.10.2017
• Subjects: gender difference; gentamicin; nephrotoxicity; vitamin c; vitamin e
• ISSN: 2251-8363; 2251-8819
• DOI: 10.15171/jnp.2017.54

Background: Nephrotoxicity is the most recognized side effect of gentamicin. Vitamin E and vitamin C demonstrate their effective role in the prevention of nephrotoxicity. Likewise, previous studies have suggested that women have low risk of end-stage renal disease at premenopausal period. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the possibility of any gender difference in response to antioxidant effects vitamins E and C in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups each including both male and female rats. The first and second groups received saline (control group) and almond oil, the third group received gentamicin. The fourth group received a regular dose of gentamicin + vitamin E. Similarly, the fifth group received a regular dose of gentamicin + vitamin C. The sixth group received a dose of gentamicin + vitamin C and E simultaneously constantly. This protocol continued for 9 days. Results: Gentamicin increased significantly urea, creatinine (Cr) and malondialdehyde (MDA), but it decreased superoxidase dismutase (SOD) level (P < 0.05). Treatment with antioxidant vitamins improved urea, creatinine, MDA, and SOD serum level significantly in both genders (P <0.05). Likewise, kidney MDA level enhanced significantly (P <0.05) and treatment with antioxidant vitamins reduced MDA level too (P <0.05). Gentamicin decreased kidney SOD activity in male and female rats (P <0.05). However, treatment with antioxidant vitamins did not improve its level in male rats, while in female rats, vitamins E and C compensated for kidney SOD activity. Conclusions: Antioxidant vitamins modified gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in both genders, with some difference in response to vitamins E and C between the genders, that was higher in female rats.