Are statins toxic or safe for kidney diseases? An updated mini-review study

Statins, as the most important cholesterol-lowering agents, inhibit the production of blood cholesterol by blocking an enzyme called the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-COA) reductase. Statins have beneficial effects in some tissues during various injuries. Recent evidence suggests that unlike the beneficial effects of statins, administration of high doses of these drugs may increase renal impairment, although more research is needed in this regard. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the possible effect of different doses of statins on the morphology and function of the kidney tubular cells. Keywords: Statin, HMG-COA reductase, Renal toxicit

Perspectives on the relationship of renal disease and coronavirus disease 2019

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a pandemic and its death toll is rocketing up. Patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of developing COVID-19 complications and COVID-19 infection can also lead to renal dysfunction. Considering the importance of kidney function in COVID-19 patients, the present review is aimed to dig into the available evidence about kidney and COVID-19. We summarize the mechanisms underlying the renal injury in COVID-19 patients, and treatment strategies in dialysis and kidney transplant patients. We conclude, it is imperative to highlight the early monitoring of patients with AKI and carefully control kidney function during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection

The nephroprotective effect of Eryngium caucasicum extract alone and in combination with metformin in adult male diabetic rats

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease associated with the disorders in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids that affect insulin action. Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of Eryngium caucasicum (Eryngo) extract alone and in combination with metformin (MET) in adult male diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats randomly were designated into five groups (n = 6) including; group I (Control); rats received normal saline by gavage for 15 days. Group II; rats received a single injection of STZ at a dose of 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Group III; rats, after STZ injection, received 30 mg/kg of MET by gavage for 15 days. Group IV; rats, after STZ injection, received 30 ml/kg of Eryngo extract by gavage for 15 days. Group V; rats, after STZ injection, received the combination of MET and Eryngo extract at a dose of 30 mg/kg by gavage for 15 days. The kidneys were removed immediately after sacrificing and prepared for morphological examination. Kidney sections were examined for the intensity of kidney damage (vacuolization, flattening, degeneration, and necrosis). Results: Significant differences were observed in types of morphologic injury to renal tubular cells between groups (P < 0.05). Eryngo extract had more protective effect against kidney damage due to DM compared to MET and the combination of MET+Eryngo. Additionally, in pairwise comparisons of groups, the relationship between group II (DM group) and group IV (DM + Eryngo) was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The administration of MET and Eryngo extract alone and their combination ameliorate types of morphologic injury to renal tubular cells in diabetic rats, however, the renoprotective effect of Eryngo extract alone is more remarkable

Comparative study of nephroprotective effects of resveratrol and silymarin in diabetic rats; an experimental histopathologic study

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is distinguished as a serious health problem worldwide. The universal outbreak of DM because of urban life and alteration of lifestyle, day to day is increasing. Objectives: The present investigation was designed to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of resveratrol (RSV) and silymarin (SM) on morphologic injury to renal tubular cells in adult male diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats randomly were designated into five groups (n = 5) including group I (control); rats received normal saline by gavage for 14 days. Group II; rats received a single injection of STZ at a dose of 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally and were also given isotonic saline orally for 14 days. Group III; Rats, after STZ injection, received 100 mg/kg of SM by gavage for 14 days. Group IV; Rats, after STZ injection, received 100 ml/kg of RSV by gavage for 14 days. Group V; rats, after STZ injection, received the combination of SM and RSV at a dose of 100 mg/kg by gavage for 14 days. The kidneys were removed immediately after sacrificing and prepared for morphological examination. Kidney sections were examined for the intensity of kidney damage (vacuolization, flattening, degeneration and necrosis). Results: Significant differences were observed in types of morphologic injury to renal tubular cells (vacuolization, flattening, degeneration and necrosis) between groups (P<0.05). Significantly, both the SM and RSV reduced the injury of renal tubular cells in diabetic rats (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated that although the protective effect of SM and RSV was more significant on necrosis and flattening, respectively, SM and RSV produced a nephroprotective impact on the injury of renal tubular cells in diabetic rats than their combination influences