Abstract
Background and Objective: The increasing number of patients with chronic kidney disease throughout the world has shifted global attention towards prevention of renal disease. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the nephroprotective effect of both camel milk and aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: About 30 male wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. One group served as normal control (NC), while the other four groups were injected intraperitoneally with 80 mg kg(-1)/day gentamicin (GM). One of these 4 groups was kept as injury control (IC) and the remaining three groups received orally spirulina extract (SP), camel milk (CM) or combination of spirulina extract and camel milk (SPCM) for 28 days. Results: Administration of GM increased urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels. Histological examination of kidney sections showed extensive tubular necrosis due to administration of GM. Administration of CM, SP and their combination (SPCM) resulted in a significant improvement (p<0.05) in kidney ratio and oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH). These positive effects were more pronounced when rats were given a combination of camel milk and spirulina (SPCM). In addition, SPCM showed a normal histological appearance better than that of SP or CM alone. Conclusion: Induced nephrotoxicity in rats can be ameliorated by camel milk and spirulina.