Protective effect of ozone against gentamicin-induced neprotoxicity and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels: An experimental study

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate the protective role of ozone treatment against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in an experimental rat model. In this study, a total of 30 rats were allocated in 5 groups (n=6 in each group). The control group (Group 1) received isotonic saline only, while Groups 2 and 3 received gentamicin at doses of 15 mg/kg/day and 50 mg/kg/day, respectively. In Group 4, intraperitoneal ozone treatment (1 mg/kg, 5% O3-95% O2) was performed after administration of gentamicin at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day. Group 5 underwent ozone treatment intraperitoneally following the application of gentamicin (50 mg/kg/day). Nephrotoxicity was formed by administration of glycerol. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and protein carbonyl were measured, and kidneys were histopathologically examined after the sacrifice of animals on the 5th day. Group 4 displayed more favorable outcomes regarding biochemical markers of oxidative stress such as NGAL, LDH, creatinine, urea, TAC and protein carbonyl. Similarly, histopathological alterations indicating gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity such as hemorrhage, the presence of protein casts and epithelial injury in renal tubules were less evident in Groups 4 and 5 which received ozone treatment. To conclude, results of this experimental study demonstrated that ozone treatment might ameliorate biochemical disturbances and histopathological alterations linked with gentamicininduced nephrotoxicity. However, further trials are warranted to document the actual therapeutic potential of ozone treatment in the clinical setting.