Abstract
Aim: Aged garlic extract (AGE) is a natural dietary substance having different antioxidant free-radical-scavenger compounds that ameliorates the toxicity of the oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effect of AGE on cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four, adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups namely control, AGE-treated (a single oral dose of 250 mg/kg/day for 21 days), CP-treated (a single intraperitoneal dose of 7.5 mg/kg on Day 16), and AGE+CP-treated (AGE at a dose of 250 mg/kg/once daily for 21 days and a single dose of CP of 7.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally on Day 16). Body weight and absolute and relative kidney weights of each rat were calculated. Serum creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels were determined. Level of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione and activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase of renal tissues were measured. Renal specimens from each rat were prepared for both light and electron microscopic examinations. Results: Interstitial cell infiltration, hemorrhage, glomerular atrophy, necrosis, and tubular degeneration were observed after CP treatment. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and glutathione level were significantly decreased and malondialdehyde level was significantly increased in CP-treated rats compared with AGE+CP-treated animals. A remarkable improvement in the histopathological and ultrastructural changes induced by CP in renal tissues was observed in AGE+CP-treated rats. Conclusion: AGE exhibited antioxidant effect that could ameliorate the nephrotoxic effects of CP. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:452-461, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.