Remedial Effects of Vitamins C and E on Atazanavir/Ritonavir-Induced Alterations in Biomarkers of Renal Function and Oxidative Stress of Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: Atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) combination is used for the management of human immunodeficiency virus and could be associated with renal toxicity characterized by oxidative stress. Objective : This study evaluated the effects of pretreatments with vitamins C and E on ATV/r- induced serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, total protein, albumin and kidney levels of malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in male albino rats. Effects of treatments with vitamins C and E on baseline levels of the above parameters were also evaluated. Methods : Fifty four (54) male albino rats used for this study were divided into 9 groups, A – I of 5 animals each. Animals in group A (placebo control) and group B (solvent control) were treated orally with water and arachis oil respectively for 30 days. Animals in groups C- F were treated with vitamin C (20mg/kg), vitamin E (20mg/kg), a combination of vitamin E+C and ATV/r (90/30mg/kg) for 30 days respectively. Animals in groups G – I were pretreated with vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin C+E before treatment with ATV/r for 30 days respectively. Results: Baseline serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and kidney MDA levels were significantly ( p >0.05) decreased while kidney SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPX levels were increased in vitamins C and E treated animals when compared to the control. In contrast, ATV/r treatment significantly ( p >0.05) increased serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and kidney MDA levels while serum total protein, albumin, kidney SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPX levels were decreased when compared to the control. However, ATV/r –induced changes in all evaluated parameters were mitigated in vitamins C and E pretreated animals with more mitigation observed in animals pretreated with combined doses of vitamin C and E. Conclusion : Observations in this study could be attributed to the oxidative effect of ATV/r and the anti-oxidative effects of vitamins C and E.