Experimental study on protective effects of Crocin on nephropathy induced by complete unilateral ureteral obstruction in the rats

Subject Areas : Journal of Comparative Pathobiology

رامین کفاشی‌الهی، داریوش مهاجری  . ¹ (.)

Received: 2016-02-25 Accepted : 2016-02-25 Published : 2016-02-20

Keywords: Kidney, Obstructive nephropathy, Crocin, Rat,

Abstract :

Any obstruction to urinary flow leads to obstructive nephropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the renoprotective effects of Crocin following unilateral ureteral obstruction in the rats. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 5 equal groups. Groups 1 and 2 were considered as control and sham operated rats, respectively. In group 3 left ureter was obstructed surgically and in group 4 following the left ureteral obstruction, Crocin was gavaged at 50 mg/kg for 15 days. Finally, blood samples were collected for measurement of serum urea, acid uric and creatinine. Malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione contents for assessment of renal free radical activity; and enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase as indicators of antioxidation, were measured in kidney homogenates. Histopathology of left kidney was conducted for verification of biochemical findings. Significant differences among the groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey post-test. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. Unilateral ureteral obstruction caused significant increase of serum urea, uric acid and creatinine levels and renal content of malondialdehyde; as well as significant reduction of renal antioxidants and reduced glutathione contents. Crocin-treatment significantly reduced elevated markers of renal injury in serum and kidney malondialdehyde; a well as brought back the declined kidney antioxidants and reduced glutathione towards normal. Histopathology of kidney confirmed the changes induced by ureteral obstruction and the renoprotective effect of Crocin. Crocin exerts protective effects in unilateral ureteral obstruction possibly through its antioxidant properties.