Title:Protective Effects of Astaxanthin on Nephrotoxicity in Rats with Induced Renovascular Occlusion
Volume: 24
Issue: 8
Author(s): Erkan Arslan, Hakan Turk*, Murat Caglayan, Tugba Taskin Turkmenoglu, Ataman Gonel and Cuneyt Tayman
Affiliation:
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Usak University,Turkey
Keywords:
Astaxanthin, GSH, SOD, Total Thiol, TNF-α, IL-6, 8-OHdG, renal ischemia-reperfusion.
Abstract:
Background: Various effects of Astaxanthin were shown in the studies, including its antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immunoregulatory effects.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of Astaxanthin on renovascular
occlusion induced renal injury and to investigate the possible mechanisms.
Methods: The rats were randomly assigned into three groups as follows: Group 1: control group
(n=12), Group 2: renal ischemia-reperfusion injury group (n=12), Group 3: renal ischemia-reperfusion
+ asthaxantine treated group (n=12). The control group and the renal ischemia-reperfusion
group were given 2cc/kg/g olive oil for 7 days before establishing ischemia to renal tissue. Astaxanthin
dissolved in olive oil was given orally to the renal ischemia+astaxanthin group for 7 days before
inducing renal ischemia. Caspase-(3, 8, 9), GSH, SOD, Total Thiol, TNF-α, IL-6, 8-OHdG
were evaluated in each group.
Results: Renal IRI was verified by analysing the pathological changes of renal tissues and the renal
functions after renal reperfusion. Much less renal tubular damage was determined in the IRI+ASX
group in comparison to the IRI group. Caspase-8, -9 and -3 immunoreactivity was observed to be
minimal in the control group. Apoptosis was observed to be significantly reduced in the IRI + ASX
group with respect to the IRI group and close to the level of the control group (p <0.05). Caspase-3
levels of tissue samples were significantly increased in the IRI group compared to the other groups,
but significantly lower in the IRI+ASX group with respect to the IRI group (p<0.05). The TOS and
OSI levels, indicating increased oxidative stress, were significantly lower in the IRI+ASX group
with respect to the IRI group (p <0.001), but still higher than the control group (p <0.001). In addition
to GSH, SOD and Total Thiol levels, TAS levels were also significantly higher in the IRI +
ASX group in comparison to the IRI group (p <0.05). TNF-α, IL-6, lipid hydroperoxide, AOPP
and 8-OHdG levels were lower in the IRI+ASX group than the IRI group (p <0.001). MPO, IL-6,
TNF-α levels, representing the parameters indicating neutrophil infiltration and inflammation of
the renal tissues, significantly increased in the IRI group with respect to the other groups (p
<0.005).
Conclusion: When all the data obtained in our study were evaluated, ASX was determined to prevent
renal damage due to renovascular occlusion to a great extent, through complex mechanisms involving
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. Biochemical, histological and
oxidative stress parameters were improved due to ASX.
