Vitamin C attenuates potassium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity and alterations in renal brush border membrane enzymes and phosphate transport in rats.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to chromium compounds can result in nephrotoxicity. The administration of potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7)), a hexavalent chromium compound, results in impairment in functions of renal brush border membrane (BBM).


METHODS
The effect of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on K(2)Cr(2)O(7)-induced nephrotoxicity, changes in BBM enzymes, Pi transport and the anti-oxidant status of rat kidney were studied. Animals were divided into 4 groups and were intraperitoneally given saline (control), vitamin C alone, K(2)Cr(2)O(7) alone and vitamin C plus K(2)Cr(2)O(7). Nephrotoxicity was evaluated by urea and creatinine levels in the serum. Anti-oxidant status was evaluated in kidney homogenates.


RESULTS
A single dose of K(2)Cr(2)O(7) (15 mg/kg body weight) resulted in an increase of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in total sulfhydryl groups. However, prior treatment with a single dose of vitamin C (250 mg/kg body weight) protected the kidney from the damaging effects of K(2)Cr(2)O(7). It greatly ameliorated the K(2)Cr(2)O(7)-induced nephrotoxicity and reduction in Pi transport, activities of catalase, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and BBM enzymes. This was accompanied by decrease in lipid peroxidation and recovery of sulfhydryl content of renal cortex.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin C is an effective chemoprotectant against K(2)Cr(2)O(7)-induced acute renal failure and dysfunction of the renal BBM in rats.
Fatima
Sabiha
S
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, U.P., India.
Mahmood
Riaz
R
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008871:Microvilli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D011192:Potassium Dichromate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism