Evaluation of protective and curative role of α-lipoic acid and selenium in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits.

Gentamicin induces nephrotoxicity, hence the present study explores protective and curative effects of α-lipoic acid and selenium alone and in combination in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Forty rabbits were randomly segregated into control, protective and curative groups. The groups A and B received water (10 ml/kg/day) and gentamicin (I/M, 80 mg/kg/day), respectively as normal and gentamicin controls. Four hours before gentamicin nephrotoxic dose, the protective subgroups C, D and E received α-lipoic acid, selenium and combination (50 mg/kg/day α-lipoic acid and 10 mg/kg/day selenium), respectively and then continued for 20 days. Nephrotoxicity was induced in curative subgroups F, G and H with gentamicin sulphate for 9 days and from 10th day onwards, followed the same treatments as for protective group for 26 days. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and antioxidant activity (AOA) were measured in all the groups. Combination of α-lipoic acid (50 mg/kg/day) and selenium (10 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced BUN (58.64%) and creatinine (17.48%) in protective subgroups treated for 20 days as compared to control without affecting AOA (p<0.05). Decrease of 82.19% BUN and 77.38% creatinine, and 46.66% increase in AOA was noted on day 26 in curative group treated with the combination of antioxidants. The combination of α-lipoic acid and selenium (50 mg/kg/day α-lipoic acid and 10 mg/kg/day selenium) was found to be effective in prevention and treatment of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.