Ameliorative impact of ezetimibe on gentamicin-induced kidney damage; A histopathological perspective

Introduction: Gentamicin, despite its beneficial effects, has significant nephrotoxic effects that are observed in 20% of the patients. Ezetimibe is recognized as an inhibitor of cholesterol absorption. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of ezetimibe on gentamicin-induced kidney damage. Material and Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups and treated as the following; group 1 (normal group), group 2 [gentamicin group, daily 80 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.) for seven days], group 3-5 (gentamicin 80 + ezetimibe at doses of 2.5, 12.5, and 37.5 mg/kg, respectively). Kidney sections were examined for histopathological parameters including vacuolization of the tubular renal cells, degeneration, necrosis, flattening of the tubular cells and debris in the tubular lumen. Results: Gentamicin injection significantly induced histopathological alterations (P< 0.05). Ezetimibe therapy significantly decreased the levels of vacuolization, degeneration, necrosis, flattening of the tubular cells and debris in the nephrotoxic rats (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The results illustrated that treatment with ezetimibe can improve kidney damage caused by gentamicin injection.