Nitric Oxide in Gentamicin-induced Acute Tubular Necrosis in Rats

Emina Nakaš-Ićindić; Nesina Avdagić; Mirjana Mijanović; Senad Prašović; Asija Začiragić; Asija Začiragić; Gordan Tahirović

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2005.3288

Authors

Emina Nakaš-Ićindić Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Nesina Avdagić Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Mirjana Mijanović Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Senad Prašović Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Asija Začiragić Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Asija Začiragić Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo
Gordan Tahirović Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2005.3288

Keywords:

nitric oxide, gentamicin, acute tubular necrosis

Abstract

Gentamicin is still widely used in clinical practice in spite of its renal toxicity. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in that process is not completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma level of NO and the histopathological changes of kidney in acute tubular necrosis (ATN) induced by gentamicin in rats. Study was carried out in Albino-Wistar rats, both sexes (n=16), average body weight 200-250 g. divided in two equal groups: control and gentamicin group. The control group was injected with 0.9% NaCl i.p. and gentamicin group was injected with gentamicin in the dose of 80 mg/kg/day i.p. in a period of 5 consecutive days. NO plasma level was determined by the production of nitrates and nitrites using classical colorimetrical Griess reaction. Kidney specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. Semiquantitative histological analysis was used for the evaluation of the level of kidney damage. Both, the plasma NO level and the level of kidney damage were statistically higher in rats with gentamicin-induced ATN in comparison to the control group. In spite of that the correlation between plasma NO level and the level of kidney damage was not found. The rise of plasma level NO in gentamicin induced ATN in rats could possibly indicate on the role of NO in renal damage caused by gentamicin.