The Effects of Viburnum Opulus L. on Kidneys of Rats with Ethylene Glycol-induced Nephrolithiasis

Objective: Recent research has centered on the role of oxidative stress and free oxygen radicals in the formation of stones. Viburnum opulus L. (VO) is a fruit species known for its antioxidant activity, and its juice preparation is used in Turkish traditional medicine for stone removal. This study aimed to investigate the effects of VO on calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallization and oxidative stress in rats with ethylene glycol (EG)-induced nephrolithiasis. Material and Methods: Fifty adult male Wistar Hannover rats were divided into five groups: control (Group 1), EG (Group 2), EG + 50 mg/kg VO (Group 3), EG + 100 mg/kg VO (Group 4), and EG + 200 mg/kg VO (Group 5). On days 7, 14, and 28, 24-hour urine was collected, and blood samples were taken. On day 28, the rats were sacrificed, and inflammation, oxidative stress, and CaOx crystallization in kidney tissue were evaluated under polarized light microscopy. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of serum inflammation parameters, acute kidney injury, and oxidative stress evaluated on days 7, 14, and 28, and tissue inflammation and oxidative stress parameters evaluated on day 28. It was observed that these parameters improved in Groups 3-5 compared to Group 2, and the level of statistical significance increased as the dose increased. In the histopathological evaluation of the tissues on day 28, the mean number of crystals was statistically significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. These parameters improved in Groups 3-5 compared to Group 2, and there was a statistically significant difference when Groups 4 and 5 were compared to Group 2. Conclusion: It was found that VO improved inflammation, oxidative stress, acute kidney injury, and CaOx crystallization in rats with EG-induced nephrolithiasis in direct proportion to the increase in dose.