Adeyomoye Olorunsola I, Akintayo Christopher O, Omotuyi Kolade P, Adewumi Adebukola N
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Nigeria.
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Indian J Nephrol. 2022 Nov-Dec;32(6):539-545. doi: 10.4103/ijn.ijn_88_21. Epub 2022 Nov 22.
Urea is an organic compound that has been reported to be effective against many pathological conditions. However, many other studies have reported the toxic effects of urea. These controversies on the biological roles of urea remain unresolved. This review aims to evaluate the biological roles of urea in experimental animals from data published in peer-reviewed journals. A PubMed search was conducted using the phrase, "urea application in experimental animals." A total of 13 publications that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. The test substance, animal model, number of animals, doses, duration of treatment, and effects were recorded. Regarding the toxic effect, urea caused decreased excretion of other nitrogenous compounds, increased oxidative stress, decreased insulin, and impairment of beta-cell glycolysis. Furthermore, it caused endothelial dysfunction, loss of synapsis, and decreased olfaction. Regarding the therapeutic effects, urea caused increased growth, increased digestion, and decreased hepatic dysfunction. It also induced apoptosis of tumor cells and exerted neuroprotective properties. Products containing urea should be used with caution, especially in individuals with symptoms of chronic kidney disease. However, more studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of its therapeutic effects.
尿素是一种有机化合物，据报道它对许多病理状况有效。然而，许多其他研究报告了尿素的毒性作用。关于尿素生物学作用的这些争议仍未解决。本综述旨在根据同行评审期刊上发表的数据评估尿素在实验动物中的生物学作用。使用“尿素在实验动物中的应用”这一短语在PubMed上进行了搜索。共评估了13篇符合纳入标准的出版物。记录了受试物质、动物模型、动物数量、剂量、治疗持续时间和效果。关于毒性作用，尿素导致其他含氮化合物排泄减少、氧化应激增加、胰岛素减少以及β细胞糖酵解受损。此外，它还导致内皮功能障碍、突触丧失和嗅觉减退。关于治疗效果，尿素导致生长增加、消化增加以及肝功能障碍减轻。它还诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡并具有神经保护特性。含尿素的产品应谨慎使用，尤其是对有慢性肾病症状的个体。然而，需要更多研究来阐明其治疗作用的机制。
