The protective effects of N-acetylcysteine against to colistin-induced nephrotoxicity

THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE AGAINST TO COLISTIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prophylaxis and treatment on kidney functions in the colistin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 7). Nephrotoxicity group was exposed to colistin by i.p. in a daily total dose at 300000 IU/kg body weight. NAC was administered to the treatment group by i.p. in a daily total dose at 300000 IU/kg body weight two hours before the colistin injection. The other group received only NAC by i.p. in a daily total dose at 300000 IU/kg body weight. The control group received 2 ml/kg body weight saline solution via the same route. The total daily doses of all injections were divided into 2 equal portions administered 8 hours apart, for 10 days. 24 hours after last injections, animals were sacrificed under anesthesia for biochemical and histopathological examinations, their intracardiac blood samples were collected and kidney tissues were removed. Results: Total histological activity score was significantly higher in colistin-induced nephrotoxicity group compared with other groups (p < 0.0001). Besides, the histopathological damage observed in the colistin group were significantly decreased in the NAC+colistin group treated with NAC. Accordingly, creatinine level which was very high in colistin group was significantly decreased in the NAC+colistin group when compared with colistin group (p < 0.01). The apoptotic cell numbers in NAC+colistin group were also significantly lower than those of colistin group (p<0.0001). Finally, by histopathological examination, a significant decrease in tubular necrosis by NAC treatment was observed as compared with colistin group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that NAC treatment may ameliorate the effects of colistin-induced functional and structural damage in kidney. Keywords: Apoptosis, colistin, creatinine, nephrotoxicity, N-acetylcysteine.