The protective effect of carnosine on kidneys of albino rats in methotrexate induced oxidative injury

Objective: This study aimed to determine the anti-oxidant effect of carnosine in methotrexate (MTX) induced nephrototxity in albino rats.
Materials & Methods: 40 male albino rats are used in this study and were equally divided into four groups. The negative control group received only saline orally, while the positive control group received carnosine (5 mg/kg) orally for 7 days. On the other hand the MTX group received a single dose (20 mg/kg) MTX intraperitoneally. The MTX+ carnosine group received the same doses of MTX and carnosine. On the seventh day, blood samples and kidney tissues were obtained for assessment of biochemical markers of the kidney, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological examination.
Results: MTX group compared with the control groups (both negative and positive) and the MTX + carnosine group showed significant higher values of both BUN and serum creatinin. This significance was found between MTX group and all other studied groups for BUN levels; and between the MTX group and only the control groups for creatinin levels. The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were relatively higher in MTX than the other groups while the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher in the MTX group compared to the other groups. Histopathological examination of the renal tissues showed glomerulosclerosis, marked damage of renal tubules, proteineous material in the renal tubules, and marked cellular infiltration in MTX group.
Conclusion & Recommendations: MTX administration involves oxidative stress causing structural and functional damage in albino rats kidney tissue. Carnosine administration reduced the MTX-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxcity through its antioxidant properties. Carnosine may be regarded as a promising agent to alleviate MTX-induced renal toxicity.