title: Protective effect of beta-glucan on contrast induced-nephropathy and a comparison of beta-glucan with nebivolol and N-acetylcysteine in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been shown that beta-glucan (BG), which has antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects, attenuats renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. We aimed to investigate whether BG might have a preventive role against the development of contrast-induced nephropathy and to compare its effect with nebivolol (Nb) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6 each): control, contrast media (CM), BG, BG + CM, Nb + CM, and NAC + CM. With the exception of control and CM groups, the others were given drugs orally once a day for 5 days. Kidney function parameters, inflammatory parameters, and serum and renal tissue oxidative stress markers were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increases of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the CM group only. Absolute changes of serum creatinine levels in BG, BG + CM and Nb + CM groups were significantly lower than those in the CM group (p < 0.05). Serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde were significantly less (p < 0.05) in the BG group compared to the CM group. Histopathological lesions in the CM group were more advanced (p < 0.05). No significant differences between the BG + CM, Nb + CM and NAC + CM groups were found with regard to histopathological findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that BG protects or ameliorates against contrast-induced nephropathy. Its beneficial effects may be similar to or greater than those of Nb or NAC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. eyupkocmd@yahoo.com.|, Umit Mah. Meksika Cad. Cinar Sitesi 4/2, Umitköy, Ankara, Turkey. eyupkocmd@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Eyup
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kadriye Altok
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Ayerden
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Ebinc
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pasaoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demirtas
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Suna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omeroglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ulver Boztepe
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Derici
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Galip
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guz
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Erten
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Musa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bali
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Turgay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arinsoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sukru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sindel
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003287:Contrast Media; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000068577:Nebivolol; D020011:Protective Agents; D051381:Rats; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D003287:Contrast Media; D004983:Ethanolamines; D020011:Protective Agents; D047071:beta-Glucans; D000068577:Nebivolol; D003404:Creatinine; D000111:Acetylcysteine