Comparative assessment of the protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine and Captopril against Cyclophosphamide-induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats

This work was executed to assess and compare the protective effect of n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and captopril (CPL) in the nephrotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP) in rats. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were separated into six groups (6 rats each). The control group received normal saline. NAC and CPL treated groups received NAC (200 mg/kg) and CPL (60 mg/kg) respectively for six consecutive days. Whereas CYP treated group received CYP (150 mg/kg) on the sixth day of the experiment. NAC+CYP and CPL+CYP treated groups received NAC and CPL respectively for 6 days then administered a single dose of CYP on the sixth day of the experiment. The intraperitoneal route is the method of administration of all drugs. CYP treated group showed a significant rise in levels of serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, and cystatin C, as also kidney MDA and IL-6 levels. Furthermore, it showed a significant decrease in kidney SOD, GSH, and IL-10 levels. Furthermore, the level of the Bcl 2 gene was downregulated. Histopathological changes in the kidney exhibited marked tubular degenerative changes. Additionally, there was a significant increase in caspase-3 within the epithelium of the renal tubules. On the other hand, NAC+CYP and CPL+CYP treated groups protected against abnormal biochemical and histological changes and restored the Bcl 2 gene. These data suggested that the administration of NAC and CPL could protect against CYP-induced nephrotoxic effect through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.