EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON CYCLOSPORINE NEPHROTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Nephrotoxicity is the mam clinical challenge of cyclosporine therapy. It is characterized by functional impairment and structural lesions. Several mechanisms have been postulated to explain cyclosporine- induced nephrotoxicity which include the occurrence of renal vasoconstriction with subsequent hypoperfusion, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present work has been performed to test the effect of two drugs with antioxidant actions, N-acetylcysteine and allopurinol, on the kidneys of cyclosporine- treated albino rats.

Adult healthy male albino rats (80 in number) were randomly divided into 8 groups, I 0 rats each, and were given the test agents for 21 days (cyclosporine at a dose level of 15 mglkg body weight/day by subcutaneous injection, N-acetylcysteine at a dose level of 140 mglkg body weight/day by gavage, and allopurinol at a dose level of I 0 mglkg body weight/day by gavage) as follows: Group 1: Rats of this group were given cyclosporine alone. Group 2: Rats of this group were given cyclosporine plus N-

acetyl-cysteine.

Group 3: Rats of this group were g1ven cyclosporine plus allopurinol.