Spirulina Platensis Protects Against Renal Injury in Rats with Gentamicin-Induced Acute Tubular Necrosis

Nesina Avdagić; Esad Ćosović; Emina Nakaš-Ićindić; Zakira Mornjaković; Asija Začiragić; Almira Hadžović-Džuvo

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2008.2892

Authors

Nesina Avdagić Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Esad Ćosović Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Emina Nakaš-Ićindić Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Zakira Mornjaković Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Asija Začiragić Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Almira Hadžović-Džuvo Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2008.2892

Keywords:

Spirulina platensis, nitric oxide, gentamicin, acute tubular necrosis, antioxidant

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the renoprotective antioxidant effect of Spirulina platensis on gentamicin-induced acute tubular necrosis in rats. Albino-Wistar rats, (9male and 9 female), weighing approximately 250 g, were used for this study. Rats were randomly assigned to three equal groups. Control group received 0,9 % sodium chloride intraperitoneally for 7 days at the same volume as gentamicin group. Gentamicin group was treated intraperitoneally with gentamicin, 80mg/kg daily for 7 days. Gentamicin+spirulina group received Spirulina platensis 1000 mg/kg orally 2 days before and 7 days concurrently with gentamicin (80mg/kg i.p.). Nephrotoxicity was assessed by measuring plasma nitrite concentration, stabile metabolic product of nitric oxide with oxygen. Plasma nitrite concentration was determined by colorimetric method using Griess reaction. For histological analysis kidney specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. Plasma nitrite concentration and the level of kidney damage were significantly higher in gentamicin group in comparison both to the control and gentamicin+spirulina group. Spirulina platensis significantly lowered the plasma nitrite level and attenuated histomorphological changes related to renal injury caused by gentamicin. Thus, the results from present study suggest that Spirulina platensis has renoprotective potential in gentamicin-induced acute tubular necrosis possibly due to its antioxidant properties.