The protective effect of rutin against methotrexate induced nephrotoxicity in rats

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of rutin on kidney tissue in methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity rat model. Twenty four Wistar Albino rats (2 months old, male) were divided randomly into four groups (n = 6) as Control, Methotrexate (Met), Rutin, Methotrexate+Rutin (Met+Rutin). Control and Met groups were given distilled water (0.5 ml / rat), and the Rutin and Met+Rutin groups were given rutin 50 mg/kg/day (dissolved in 0.5 ml distilled water) by oral gavage for 15 days. Met and Met+Rutin groups were administered a single dose of methotrexate 20 mg/ kg/i.p. on the 8th day of the study. All rats were sacrificed and kidney tissues were removed on the 16th day of the study. The levels of 8-OHdG, MDA, TOS, TAS, tGSH and the activities of G6PD and GPx in kidney tissues were determined biochemically. In addition, histopathological examination was performed in kidney tissues. MDA level increased in Met+Rutin group compared to Met group was determined (p<0.05). A significant increase in TOS levels was observed in Met+Rutin group compared to both Control and Rutin group (p<0.05). A significant decrease was found in TAS levels in Met+Rutin group compared to both Control and Met groups (p<0.05). The GPx activity in Rutin group decreased significantly compared to Control group (p<0.05). As a result of histopathological examinations, it was observed that the kidneys were macroscopically slightly swollen and its color was lighter than normal in Met group. In the other groups, the kidneys were in normal structure, macroscopically. In Met group, there were degenerative changes in the tubular epithelium, ranging from parenchyma to hydropic, in wide scope. In addition, small foci mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration in the kidney tissue was observed in Met group. In rutin group, tubules, tubular epithelium and glomeruli were observed in normal histological structure. It was determined that kidney tissue damage determined in Met group was decreased in Met+Rutin group; there were no degenerative changes in the tubular epithelium of the Met+Rutin group, and only mild degenerative changes were observed rather than hydropic degeneration seen in Met group. In the present study, it was determined that methotrexate caused damage in kidney tissue and rutin had protective and healing effect on methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity.