Comparison of the species-sensitive effects of different dosages of calcium and verapamil on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and rabbits.

AIM

To compare the effects of different dosages of calcium and verapamil on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rabbits and rats of either sex in weight range of 1.5-2.5 kg and 175-225 g, respectively were used in study. Gentamicin 80 mg/kg i.m., calcium carbonate 0.5 g/kg/day oral, calcium carbonate 1.0 g/kg/day oral, and verapamil 7 mg/kg/day i.m. were administered for 6 days in either species containing 7 groups. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine and, urine protein levels were assessed on day 0 and day 7 for kidney function. The animals were sacrificed on day 7 for histopathplogical examination and kidney superoxide dismutase levels (SOD) were measured. Statistical analysis was done using student's unpaired t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The results showed that calcium was able to reverse significantly increased BUN, serum creatinine, urine protein, and reduced kidney SOD levels in gentamicin-treated nephrotoxic rats or rabbits in a dose-dependent manner while verapamil had no protective or nephrotoxic effect.

CONCLUSION

Calcium 0.5 g/kg/day and 1.0 g/kg/day were able to reverse tubular necrosis and mesangial proliferation in gentamicin-treated nephrotoxic animals. There was no species-sensitive variation in reversal of nephrotoxicity by calcium in rats and rabbits.