The role of free radicals in p-aminophenol-induced nephrotoxicity: does reduced glutathione have a protective effect?

Abstract

The role of free radicals in p-aminophenol (PAP)-induced nephrotoxicity and effects of reduced glutathione (GSH) were investigated. We injected PAP in one group of rats and PAP plus GSH in a second group. All parameters were measured in the renal tissue. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the PAP + GSH group (7.1 ± 0.36 U/mg protein) was found to be significantly higher than in the control group (4.9 ± 0.13) ( P < 0.001). Catalase (CAT) was found to be significantly low in both groups ( P < 0.001 in the PAP group (13.48 ± 0.85 U/mg protein), P < 0.01 in the PAP + GSH group (18.75 ± 1.17) as compared to the control group (41.03 ± 0.93)). Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PAP and PAP + GSH groups was found to be significantly high ( P < 0.01 in the PAP group (5.32 ± 0.033 U/mg protein), P < 0.001 in the PAP + GSH group (6.48 ± 0.1)) as compared to the control group (2.93 ± 0.093)). Similarly, glutathione reductase (GSSGR) in the PAP (0.023 ± 0.002 U/mg protein), and PAP + GSH (0.025 ± 0.001) groups was found to be significantly high as compared to the control group (0.014 ± 0.001) ( P < 0.001). GSH in the PAP (161.93 ± 8.3 mg/mg protein) and PAP + GSH (170.7 ± 4.51) groups were found to be significantly higher than the control group (104.91 ± 3.0) ( P < 0.001). Malondialdehyte (MDA) in the PAP (11.12 ± 0.62 nmol/mg protein) and PAP + GSH (9.72 ± 0.46) groups was found to be significantly higher than in the control group (5.54 ± 0.51) ( P < 0.001). Free radicals might have a major role in the PAP-induced nephrotoxicity. GSH increased nephrotoxicity.