Nephroprotective Effect of Apilarnil in Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Model

Abstract

Aim: High-dose and long-term acetaminophen (paracetamol; PAR) use can cause acute and chronic kidney damage. It was reported that apilarnil (AP), an apitherapy product obtained from drone larvae, has high antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the effect of apilarnil on kidney tissue damage, oxidative status, and inflammation in an acetaminophen-induced renal injury model was investigated.Method: A total of 32 adult male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into 4 groups as control, paracetamol (PAR), paracetamol+apilarnil (PAR+AP) and apilarnil (AP) groups. A dose of 600 mg/kg PAR was used to create the acute kidney injury model. AP was administered at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg. Kidney tissue histopathology was evaluated with the hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining method. Renal tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) expression was determined by the indirect immunohistochemical method. Renal glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by the ELISA method.Results: PAR administration caused an increase in MDA level in kidney tissue, while antioxidant enzyme levels of SOD, CAT and GPx decreased. PAR also caused an increase in renal TNF-α immunohistochemical expression. AP treatment provided a significant decrease in MDA level, while GPx and SOD levels increased. AP treatment also provided a decrease in renal TNF-α expression and tubular damage score.Conclusion: This study is the first report showing that AP prevents paracetamol-induced renal damage. AP may be an option that can be used for the treatment of high-dose paracetamol-induced renal damage.