Oxytocin alleviates cisplatin-induced renal damage in rats

Objective(s):The purpose of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of oxytocin on cisplatin (CP)-induced renal damage in rats. Materials and Methods: Fourteen adult Sprague Dawley rats, weighing ۲۰۰ to ۲۱۰, were administered by cisplatin (CP, ۲ mg/kg/day) twice a week for five weeks. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups and treated with either saline (۱ ml/kg/day) or OT                       (۲۰۰ µg/kg/day) for five weeks. Seven rats served as control group. At the end of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed and their kidneys were assessed histologically. In addition,            C-reactive protein (CRP), TGF-β and Akt expression were evaluated immunohistochemically. Results:Both tubules and glomeruli were found to be severely damaged with marked medullary tubulo-interstitial inflammation due to chronic cisplatin exposure, particularly in the saline-treated group (Group ۱) compared to control group. Oxytocin treatment spared renal tissue significantly by suppressing CRP and TGF-β, and enhancing Akt expression. Conclusion: We conclude that renal damage due to cisplatin toxicity was prevented to a great extent by the anti-inflammatory effect of oxytocin.   

Keywords:

Akt , Cisplatin toxicity , CRP , Kidney , Oxytocin TGF-β