Comparative effects of L-arginine and vitamin C on gentamicin-induced alterations in some biochemical indices of kidney function

Abstract

Kidney injury is an adverse effect of gentamicin which limits its use as an antimicrobial agent. Finding an antidote for this adverse effect will reduce the number of cases of kidney injury that accompany the use of gentamicin. This study compares the effects of L-arginine and vitamin C on gentamicin-induced kidney injury in Wistar rats. Rats were assigned to 5 groups (n=6). Groups I to V were treated respectively with distilled water, gentamicin, L-arginine and gentamicin, vitamin C and gentamicin, and L-arginine, vitamin C and gentamicin. After 14-day treatment, the animals were euthanized and plasma creatinine, plasma urea, plasma protein, plasma potassium, urinary protein, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), Kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), and kidney glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analyzed. Administration of gentamicin increased the levels of plasma creatinine, plasma urea, urinary protein, urinary potassium, and MDA significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the distilled water-treated group. The levels of plasma protein, SOD and GPx were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Treatment with L-arginine, vitamin C, and combined L-arginine and vitamin C significantly reduced (p < 0.05) creatinine, urea, urinary protein, plasma potassium and MDA. Plasma protein, SOD, and GPx were significantly raised compared with gentamicin control. The results indicate that vitamin C is more effective than L-arginine in reversing gentamicin-induced biochemical changes, but combined vitamin C and L-arginine produced even more ameliorative effect. Therefore, taking L-arginine and vitamin C during gentamicin therapy may reduce the incidence of kidney injury.