Investigation of the effect of thymoquinone on kidney damage in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats and cardiorenal interactions

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether thymoquinone has any protective effects on renal tissue after an isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI). Experimental groups were formed as 4 groups (n=8). Control group (C). Thymoquinone group (THQ), 20 mg/kg single dose intragastric (i.g.) daily for seven days. Isoproterenol group (ISO) was administered 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally in two doses on days 7 and 8 of the experiment. Thymoquinone+Isoproterenol group (THQ+ISO), THQ 20 mg/kg i.g. was administered once a day for seven days. In addition, two doses of ISO 100 mg/kg i.p. were administered on the seventh and eighth days. Kidney tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Kidney tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) and alpha Smooth Muscle Actin(α-SMA) immunoreactivity density changes were determined by immunohistochemistry. Glutathione(GST), Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs) and Interleukin-6(IL-6) levels were evaluated by ELISA method. Isoproterenol injection caused severe histopathological changes on kidney tissue. Also TNF-α and α-SMA levels were found to be higher in groups where ISO was administered. THQ could be effective on kidney tissue to partially correct these histopathological damages, by decreasing fibrosis and inflammation. This study shows that treatment with THQ is effective in preventing kidney damage caused by ISO-induced MI. We think that THQ as a supplementary food will be effective to prevent kidney damage.