Prolonged Exposure to Quinolones and Antifolate Antimalarial Drugs Alter Renal Indices and Biochemical Parameters in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major public health challenge globally. Most antimalarial drugs have been reported to cause side effects on various body organs This study evaluates the impact of prolonged exposure to quinolones and antifolates on renal indices in male Wistar rats.

Methods: 35 male Wistar rats were split into five groups of seven rats each. Group 1 served as control and received 2ml/kg body weight of normal saline, Group 2 rats were given 30 mg/kg of Chloroquine, Group 3 rats took 30 mg/kg of Quinine, Group 4 was given 2.9 mg/kg of Proguanil and Group 5 was given 15 mg/kg of Pyrimethamine. Treatments were administered orally for six weeks, after which blood and tissue samples were collected under ketamine anesthesia (80mg/kgBW) for the assessment of kidney indices, antioxidant and histological parameters.

Results: Serum urea was significantly elevated in the chloroquine and quinine groups compared to control. (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0004 respectively). Serum creatinine was also significantly elevated in the quinine group in comparison to control (P = 0.0134). There was significant increase in serum potassium and sodium levels in the chloroquine (P = 0.0287 and P = 0.326 respectively) and quinine groups (P = 0.0113 and P = 0.0474 respectively) versus control. Oxidative stress markers revealed elevated renal malondialdehyde levels in the chloroquine (P = 0.0471) and quinine groups (P = 0.0470) compared to the control. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly reduced in the quinine (P = 0.0081 and P = 0.0474) group versus control. Histological analysis revealed glomerular shrinkage, tubular degeneration, and necrosis, more severe in quinolone-treated rats compared to antifolate-treated groups.

Conclusion: Prolonged exposure to quinolones and antifolate antimalarial drugs may lead to renal toxicity, characterized by oxidative stress, electrolyte imbalances, and histopathological alteration.