Ascorbic acid reduces gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats through the control of reactive oxygen species

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many forms of acute renal failure. The aim was examine the effect of vitamin C on oxidative stress and its relationship with nitric oxide on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. We utilized 32 Wistar rats allocated in four groups of eight animals each: control (CTL), vitamin C (VIT C), gentamicin (GENTA), and GENTA + VIT C; all groups were treated during seven days. Serum urea and creatinine, serum and renal tissue malondialdehyde, blood superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in GENTA were increased vs CTL and vs VIT C, and decreased in GENTA + VIT C vs GENTA (all P < 0.05). Serum nitric oxide increased in GENTA vs CTL and vs VIT C, and reduced in GENTA + VIT C vs GENTA (P < 0.001). Urinary nitric oxide was reduced in GENTA vs CTL and vs VIT C and increased in GENTA + VIT C vs GENTA (P < 0.001). Severe degeneration of proximal tubules was present in GENTA, but only mild lesions were observed in GENTA + VIT C. This study suggests that VIT C is a valuable tool to protect against GENTA-induced nephrotoxicity, by reducing reactive oxygen species and increasing the nitric oxide.