The Nephroprotective Effects of Pomegranate Juice against Lithium-Induced Kidney Damage in Rats

Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of pomegranate juice on kidney damage caused by lithium in rats. Methods: Six groups of animals were studied, group one received neither lithium nor pomegranate juice, group two received only lithium, group three received only pomegranate juice, and groups four to six received both lithium and pomegranate juice at different doses. Kidney biomarkers were investigated as indicators of acute kidney failure. Results: Comparison between the studied groups regarding the amount of creatinine in the serum of rats showed a significant relationship between serum creatinine levels of rats in the group receiving lithium and the control group, and the group receiving lithium and those receiving pomegranate juice at a dose of 100 mg/kg. A significant relationship was observed in the study of serum urea amount in rats between the control group and the group receiving lithium, and the lithium group and the group receiving pomegranate juice at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Conclusions There was no significant difference between the groups when the amount of cystatin C in the serum of rats was compared. Pomegranate juice at 100 mg/kg and lithium (25mg/kg) led to a significant decrease in serum creatinine levels, which reduced kidney damage induced by lithium. Serum urea also decreased significantly, suggesting that pomegranate has anti-toxic effects on kidneys from lithium toxicity