Melatonin and Cranberry Attenuate Infection-induced Apoptotic Renal Damage in a Vesicoureteral Reflux Rabbit Model

Abstract

Purpose: We evaluated the protective effects of melatonin and cranberry on infection-induced renal damage in a rabbit model of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six New Zealand male rabbits were divided into the following 5 groups: 1) control, 2) VUR, 3) E. coli, 4) cranberry, and 5) melatonin. After creating unilateral VUR, infection was induced by intravesical instillation of an E. coli suspension. Cranberry powder was supplied with the feed. Melatonin was injected into the peritoneal cavity. Three weeks after surgery, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the kidneys were extirpated and examined histopathologically to evaluate inflamma-tion, fibrosis, and tubular changes. Apoptosis in the renal tissue was assessed with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deo-xyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) in situ nick-end labeling (TUNEL) study. Results: Grossly, the refluxing kidney was larger than the contralateral normal kidney, and the refluxing ureter was dilated and tortuous. Micro