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

Abstract

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