Renoprotective effect of thymoquinone against rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury in the rat model

Objective(s): Rhabdomyolysis leads to the release of myoglobin, sarcoplasmic proteins, and electrolytes into the blood circulation causing acute kidney injury (AKI). Thymoquinone, a natural compound found in Nigella sativa seeds, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This investigation assessed the renoprotective effect of thymoquinone on rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI in rats.Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were categorized into six groups (n = ۶): ۱. Control: (normal saline), ۲. Glycerol (۵۰ ml/kg, single dose, IM), ۳–۵: Glycerol + thymoquinone (۱, ۲.۵ and ۵ mg/kg, ۴ days, IP), ۶. Thymoquinone (۵ mg/kg). On day ۵, serum and kidney tissue were isolated and the amounts of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH.), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and pathological changes were evaluated. Results: Glycerol increased creatinine, BUN, MDA, TNF-α, and NGAL levels. It decreased GSH amounts and caused renal tubular necrosis, glomerular atrophy, and myoglobin cast in kidney tissue. Co-administration of glycerol and thymoquinone reduced creatinine, BUN, histopathological alterations, and MDA levels, and enhanced GSH amounts. Administration of glycerol and thymoquinone (۵ mg/kg) had no significant effect on TNF-α amount but decreased NGAL protein levels. The administration of thymoquinone (۵ mg/kg) alone did not display a significant difference from the control group.Conclusion: Rhabdomyolysis from glycerol injection in rats can cause kidney damage. Thymoquinone may attenuate renal dysfunction and oxidative stress. However, the TNF-α level was not significantly affected. Further studies are needed to explore the potential therapeutic effects of thymoquinone in managing AKI.

Keywords:

Creatinine , Glycerol , Inflammation , Myoglobin , Nigella Sativa