Suppression of renal inflammation with vitamins A and E in ascending pyelonephritis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effects of vitamin A and E supplementation alone or in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the development of inflammation in an animal model of ascending pyelonephritis.


METHODS
Ascending pyelonephritis was induced in adult rats by surgical bladder inoculation with P-pili-forming Escherichia coli. Treatment of pyelonephritic rats was initiated at 72 hours post-infection. Treatment groups included no treatment, or a five day regimen of antibiotic only, antibiotic plus vitamins A and E, or antibiotic, vitamins and either of two NSAIDs. Kidneys were harvested at six weeks post-infection and assessed for histopathologic inflammation.


RESULTS
Antibiotic treatment of pyelonephritic rats with vitamins A and E alone or in combination with NSAIDs resulted in significantly less kidney inflammation, as compared with untreated rats or rats treated with antibiotic alone. There was no significant difference in inflammation between animals treated with vitamins alone or vitamins plus NSAIDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibiotic therapy and diet supplementation with vitamins A and E can significantly reduce the inflammation associated with ascending pyelonephritis, suggesting a potential use in the medical management of reflux nephropathy in children.
Bennett
R T
RT
Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Mazzaccaro
R J
RJ
Chopra
N
N
Melman
A
A
Franco
I
I
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D007052:Ibuprofen