Biochemical and histopathological investigation of the effect of thymoquinone on methotrexate-induced kidney injury in rats

Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation of the Effect of Thymoquinone on Methotrexate-Induced Kidney Injury in Rats. Introduction and Aim: Methotrexate is one of the most widely used antimetabolite chemotherapeutics because it inhibits cell division. High doses of methotrexate are known to cause acute kidney injury. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and reducing effects of drug side effects of thymoquinone have been reported. The aim of this study is to biochemically and histopathologically investigate the effect of thymoquinone, a powerful antioxidant, in the acute kidney injury model induced by methotrexate in rats. Materials and Methods: In our study, male Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were divided into 4 groups, 6 in each group. Groups; I.Control, II. MTX, III. MTX + TQ (20 mg/kg) and IV. It is MTX + TQ (50 mg/kg). A single dose of corn oil was given to rats in the control group by gavage at 20 mg/kg for 5 days. A single dose of 20 mg/kg i.p. as MTX was given to secont, third and fourth group on the secont day of the experiment. 20 mg/kg TQ was given to the third group and 50 mg/kg TQ was given to the fourth group by gavage for five days. All animals were sacrificed at the end of the 6th day, and kidney tissue and blood samples were examined biochemically and histopathologically. Results: As a result of the biochemical analyses, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the urea, creatinine, KIM-1 and MIOX values in the KIM-1, MIOX and serum samples of the kindey tissue of the MTX group compared to the control group, and this increase decreased due to the use of TQ. While kidney tissue and serum GSH values decreased significantly in the MTX group compared to the control group, it was observed that the use of TQ increased the GSH value. Histopathological examinations revealed findings that may indicate oxidative damage in the kidney tissues of the MTX group. When the MTX and control groups were compared while these findings were significant (p<0.05) in both groups, it was observed that these histopathological changes significantly reduced in the groups receiving TQ. Conclusion: It was determined that the use of thymoquinone against kidney damage caused by methotrexate in rats prevented this damage with its antioxidant and other properties. Accordingly, clinically advanced studies are needed for the use of thymoquinone with chemotropic drugs. Keywords: Acute Kidney Injury, KIM-1, MIOX, Methotrexate, Thymoquinone.