Etilen glikolle indüklenmiş nefrolitiyazisli ratlarda kafeinin proflaksi̇deki etkinliği ve annexin A1'in patofizyoloji̇deki̇ rolü

Materials and Methods: Thirty-six adult Wistar rats, obtained from the Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Experimental Animal Application and Research Center, were divided into three groups. Group I (control group) was given only water, Group II was administered 0.75% ethylene glycol, and Group III received 0.75% ethylene glycol and caffeine via oral gavage under laboratory conditions for 28 days. At the end of the study, the rats were placed in metabolic cages for 24-hour urine collection. Following this, the rats were sacrificed, and serum levels of urea, creatinine (Cr), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and chloride (Cl) were measured, along with urinary parameters such as crystals, leukocytes, and pH. Histological sections of kidney tissues were examined for crystal structures. Immunohistochemical staining was evaluated by considering tubular and glomerular staining. The Annexin A1 (MRQ-3) antibody levels were analyzed separately as cytoplasmic Annexin A1 (MRQ-3), membranous Annexin A1 (MRQ-3), and the combined total of cytoplasmic and membranous Annexin A1 (MRQ-3). Results: Serum findings indicated that creatinine and magnesium levels were significantly elevated in the ethylene glycol group compared to the control group. However, these levels decreased in the ethylene glycol + caffeine group, suggesting the protective effect of caffeine. Histopathological findings revealed significant tubular damage, dilation, and crystal formation in the ethylene glycol group. In the caffeine group, these parameters were reduced, and minimal crystal formation was observed. Staining with Annexin A1 increased in the ethylene glycol group but decreased in the group where caffeine was added. Although crystal formation was lower in the ethylene glycol + caffeine group compared to the ethylene glycol group, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study is significant as it represents the first in vivo investigation evaluating the effects of caffeine and Annexin A1 protein on kidney stone formation. While the role of Annexin A1 in stone formation is thought to be related to its influence on crystal adhesion mechanisms, it is believed that this protein plays a critical role in stone formation by facilitating crystal binding to the cell membrane. In our study, no statistically significant difference was observed in Annexin A1 expression between the ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol + caffeine groups. However, despite the lack of a notable difference in crystal formation, caffeine was found to have a protective effect on kidney damage parameters, including tubular vacuolization, congestion, and inflammation.