Nephroprotective Effects of L-Arginine against Chemotherapy Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Wistar Rats

Background: L-arginine is a nitric oxide precursor that decreases oxidative stress and regulates the blood flow by modifying the tone of vessels and also prevent ischemic renal tissue injuries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective role of L-arginine in cisplatin-induced acute renal injury through assessment of renal, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in albino Wistar rats.Material and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Physiology and Postgraduate Research Laboratory, Isra University, Hyderabad, Pakistan from April to September 2019. Thirty male Albino Wistar rats were selected through non-random purposive sampling and divided equally into three different groups: Group A (control group), Group B (cisplatin group), and Group C (cisplatin plus arginine group). Blood samples from rats were collected through cardiac puncture, followed by renal histopathological analysis under light microscope. The severity of tissue damage was observed using a graded scale from ‘0’ (no damage) to III (severe damage). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0., with one-way ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey analysis used for comparison of different variables.Results: There was a statistically significant decline in the bodyweight and rise in absolute kidney weight of group B in comparison with the other two groups (P <.05). Moreover, a significant rise in serum renal markers was observed in group B (P <.05), with a statistically significant decline in these markers in group C compared with group B (P <.05). Marked histological alterations (glomerular and tubular damage) were observed in renal tissues of group B as compared to group C.Conclusions: The present study concludes that L-arginine exerts anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and nephroprotective effects against renal tissue damage caused by Cisplatin

Histomorphometric Alterations in Hepatic Tissue from Malathion-Induced Toxicity: An Experimental Animal Study

Background: Malathion, a widely used insecticide readily absorbed through skin and seriously affects different tissues and organs of the body. The main objective of this study was to compare the histomorphometric alterations resulting from hazardous effects of different doses of Malathion on hepatic tissue of male albino Wistar rats. Material and Methods: This animal experimental study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy and Postgraduate Research Laboratory at the Isra University, Hyderabad, Sindh Pakistan from February to July 2019. Thirty male albino Wistar rats between 250-300 grams weight were distributed equally into group A (control), group B (low-dose Malathion group; 27mg/kg 1/50 of LD50), and group C (high-dose Malathion group; 50mg/kg). Bodyweight of all rats was taken twice, before and after the experiment. The liver was dissected out, washed and weighed. Histopathological examination was done under the light microscope. Grading was done for severity in histopathological changes in each group. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Post-hoc Tukey test for comparison with the level of significance set at P-value ≤ .05. Results: Statistically significant (P < .05) decline in body weight was observed in groups B and C in comparison with group A. The relative weight of the liver was increased significantly (P < .05) in the experimental groups, when compared with the control group. Mild-to-moderate histopathological changes were observed in the low-dose Malathion group (Group B) while moderate-to-severe histopathological changes were demonstrated in the high-dose group (Group C). Conclusions: Malathion is a potent toxic pesticide and its exposure can exhibit damage to the hepatic tissues in a dose-dependent manner