Background:The rapid loss of kidney function is known as nephrotoxicity. The harmful effects of medications may cause this. Amikacin-related nephrotoxicity is an excellent illustration of such a case. Amikacin is a synthetic aminoglycoside that works against the majority of gram-negative bacteria and, in some circumstances, can be harmful to the kidneys. One of the many methods used to prevent or decrease this toxicity is the use of antioxidant substances with amikacin. Beta carotene is an antioxidant carotenoid pigment. The aim of the current study: is to illustrate the ameliorative effect of beta carotene against the nephrotoxicity caused by amikacin when given before or during the treatment of amikacin. The study also evaluates the nephrotoxicity evoked by amikacin. Material and Methods: Five groups of animals were used (seven rats in each group): the control group, the amikacin group, the beta carotene group, the beta carotene with the amikacin group, and the group given beta carotene first, then added amikacin later together with the beta carotene.
Results:The results of the current study demonstrate that when comparing the amikacin-treated group to the control group, there was a significant elevation (p ˂ 0.05) of serum creatinine and urea levels. The results also showed that when comparing the amikacin -treated group to the group treated with beta carotene during amikacin treatment for 14 days, there was a significant reduction (p ˂ 0.05) in serum creatinine and urea levels. Furthermore, in comparison of the amikacin -treated group to the group treated with beta carotene only for 9 days and continued with amikacin for 14 days, there was a significant reduction (p ˂ 0.05) in serum creatinine and urea levels. Also, there were significant decreases (near normal) in serum creatinine and urea. Histological findings confirmed these findings; there was damage to renal tissue in the amikacin -treated group, whereas groups treated with beta carotene and amikacin showed improvements in histological images. Discussion and conclusion: According to the results of renal function tests and histological findings, treatment with AMK only causes renal toxicity in rats, and when rats are treated with BC before and during AMK treatment or even only during AMK treatment, BC can prevent this renal toxicity by decreasing serum urea and creatinine levels, which, in agreement with the previous study, leads us to conclude that BC offers significant protection against AMK-induced nephrotoxicity, The results also showed the efficiency of two methods of administration of beta carotene in giving the required protection against renal toxicity (not preferring one method over the other).