Objectives: Renal failure has been reported in patients treated with Teicoplanin, a widely used antibiotic. Hesperetin, a flavonoid in citrus fruits, has been reported to possess nephro-protective effects. This study investigated the protective effect of hesperetin on teicoplanin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
Methods: Male wistar rats (n=32, 144-180 g) were grouped into 4 groups of 8 rats each. The control, group 1 received water, group 2 received 50 mg/kg of hesperetin orally, group 3 received 10 mg/kg of teicoplanin intraperitoneally and group 4 received 50 mg/kg of hesperetin and 10 mg/kg of teicoplanin. Administration was done for 21 days. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration, the kidney was excised and used for biochemical assays.
Results: Administration of teicoplanin resulted in kidney injury that was characterized by significant increase in plasma urea and creatinine level relative to control group (p<0.05). Additionally, significant increase in biomarkers of inflammation (NO, MPO, TNF-α) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) of teicoplanin-treated rats were observed when compared with the control group. Furthermore, altered antioxidants status was observed following teicoplanin treatment. Activities of enzymic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST) and concentration of non-enzymic antioxidants (GSH and Ascorbic acid) were downregulated. In comparison to the teicoplanin-treated group, the administration of Hesperetin with teicoplanin significantly reduced all changes in the markers of kidney injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Histopathological examination revealed that rats given TEIC showed increased glomerular size and considerable hydropic changes in the proximal convoluted tubules, whereas rats given HESP and TEIC showed only mildly enhanced glomerular size and hydropic modifications.
Conclusion: Hesperetin preserved the histo-architecture of the kidney. From this study, hesperetin offered a protective effect against teicoplanin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.