The protective effectiveness of dexpanthenol in acute kidney injury caused by glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis in rats

Objective: Myoglobinuric acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening clinical condition. Currently, many treatment modalities are used for AKI, but their effectiveness is insufficient. There is a need for treatments with protective efficacy. Dexpanthenol is known as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic agent, demonstrating protective effects on various tissues. In our study, we aimed to investigate the protective efficacy of dexpanthenol in acute kidney injury induced by glycerol-caused by rhabdomyolysis and its underlying genetic mechanism of action. Methods: In the study 32 female Wistar Albino rats weighing between 250-300 grams were divided into 4 equal groups. Four rats died during the study period. Intraperitoneal saline was administered to the control group (n:8) for 5 days. Glycerol solution 50% (8 ml/kg, im) was administered to the RM group (n:6). Glycerol solution 50% (8 ml/kg, im) was applied to the RM+DEX group (n:6) and 1 hour later, DEX (500 mg/kg, ip) was applied for 5 days. DEX (500 mg/kg, ip.) was applied to the DEX group (n:8) for 5 days. The rats were sacrificed on the 6th day , and kidney function tests including BUN, Creatinine, Urea, CK, LDH, Cystatin C, TAS, TOS, MDA, CAT were examined from the blood samples taken. In addition, histopathological evaluation of kidney tissue and gene analyzes including PGC-1α and SIRT-3 gene expressions were evaluated. Results: In this study, we observed that rhabdomyolysis and nephropathy occurred in the RM and RM+DEX groups. Histopathological improvement and increased expression of PGC-1α and SIRT-3 genes were observed in the RM+DEX group compared to the other groups. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Dexpanthenol treatment is histopathologically protective in acute kidney injury caused by glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis and that the expression of PGC-1α and SIRT-3 genes increased genetically. Keywords: Acute Kidney Injury, Dexpanthenol, Rhabdomyolysis, , PGC-1α, SIRT-3