Can Curcumin Prevent Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats? A Histological Study

Background: Free oxygen radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of gentamicin (GEN) nephrotoxicity and curcumin (CMN) has a strong antioxidant activity. Aim of the Work: The possible protective role of CMN on GEN-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated in albino rats by histological and morphometric methods. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were randomly divided into six equal groups. Group I: Control group received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 0.9% saline, Group II received 1 ml corn oil orally for 21 days, Group III received 200 mg/kg CMN dissolved in corn oil orally for 21 days. Group IV received 100 mg/kg GEN dissolved in 0.9% saline i.p. for seven days from day 14, Group V received corn oil for 21 days and GEN for seven days from day 14 and lastly Group VI received CMN for 21 days and GEN from day 14 for seven days. At the end of the experiment, animals were weighed, sacrificed and the kidneys were dissected out, then processed for light and electron microscopic studies. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also performed. Results: Treatment with GEN led to significant limitation of weight gain, hyaline degeneration and nuclear pyknosis in the renal proximal tubules, shrinking of glomeruli and weak PAS reaction. Ultrastructurally, the proximal tubules exhibited loss of microvilli, thickened tubular basement membrane, condensed nuclei, rarefied cytoplasm with dark bodies and reduced number of mitochondria. Podocytes displayed fusion of secondary foot processes and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane with focal loss of its trilamellar structure. Concomitant administration of CMN with GEN revealed an observable protection against these changes. Conclusion: CMN showed a protective effect against nephrotoxicity induced by GEN in albino rats.