Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on kidney of male albino rats with the potential ameliorative effect of alpha lipoic acid

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been widely used in various industrial and medical applications. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) plays a great role in the antioxidant defense system. This research was conducted to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of ALA on MWCNTs induced nephrotoxicity in rat. Forty albino rats were assigned into four equal groups: Group Ⅰ (Control) was treated with 1% tween-80 (0.25 mL/rat/IP) for 5 days, followed by distilled water (2 mL/kg/PO) for 10 days, group Ⅱ (ALA) was orally administered ALA suspension (200 mg/kg) for 10 days, group Ш (MWCNTs) was intraperitoneally injected with MWCNTs suspension at the concentration of 0.5 mg/kg daily for 5 days followed by (2 mL/kg per day) distilled water for 10 days, and group Ⅳ (MWCNTs+ALA) was treated with MWCNTs (0.5 mg/kg, once, IP) for 5 days followed by ALA (200 mg/kg, PO) for 10 days. At the end of experiment, the rats were euthanized. Blood and kidney samples were collected from all rats for biochemical, kidney for histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. MWCNTs substantially increased blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and malondialdehyde. Meanwhile, they markedly reduced glutathione levels. Additionally, MWCNTs induced several histopathological alterations, including dilatation and congestion of most glomeruli, degenerative changes of renal tubules and prominent interstitial hemorrhage. A significant increase in area percentage of caspase 3 and COX 2 in MWCNTs exposed rats. On the other hand, ALA administration alleviated the adverse toxic effects induced by MWCNTs. Conclusion, ALA significantly ameliorate MWCNTs-induced nephrotoxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms.