Defensive Effects Of Naringenin Against Gamma Rays-Induced Acute Renal Insufficiency In Rats

Naringenin; 4,5,7-trihydroxy flavonone (C15H12O5), is a naturally occurring citrus flavonone which has been reported to have a wide range of pharmacological properties. Gamma rays-induced oxidative stresses in kidney tissue were indicated by significant increases of serum urea, creatinine, sodium, chloride and calcium levels as well as renal levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total nitrate/nitrite (NOx) beside an increase in blood erythrocytes and sedimentation rates (ESR). In contrast, gamma rays induced significant decreases in serum total proteins, albumin, globulin and potassium levels as well as renal level of reduced glutathione (GSH), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Moreover, depletions in total red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht), platelets (Pt), total white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophiles, monocytes and eosinophiles were recorded. The kidney of gamma irradiated rat showed tubular necrosis, degeneration, dilation, desquamation, thickening of basement membrane and luminal cast formation. Naringenin treatment (20 mg/kg/day for 10 days, starting 5 days before gamma rays exposure) markedly attenuated the gamma rays-induced biochemical alterations in serum and renal tissue and alleviated red and white blood indices. Furthermore, naringenin ameliorated the gamma rays-induced pathological changes when compared with gamma irradiated group. These data indicate that the natural dietary antioxidant naringenin might have defensive effects against gamma rays-induced oxidative stress and acute renal insufficiency in rats.