Protective role of ascorbic acid against combination antiretroviral drug-induced renal toxicity in female Wistar rats

Abstract

The protective effect of ascorbic acid against renal toxicity induced by combination antiretroviral drugs in rats was examined. Thirty-six female Wistar rats, weighing between 180 and 220 g, were divided into two equal groups (A and B) to represent short- and long-term administration, respectively. Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups (1, 2, and 3), resulting in a total of six subgroups (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, and B3), with six rats in each. Subgroups A1 and B1 served as controls and received distilled water as a placebo. Subgroups A2 and B2 received combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for 2 and 8 weeks, respectively, while subgroups A3 and B3 received co-administration of cART with ascorbic acid for the same periods. All treatments were administered via oral intubation. Serum levels of urea (U), creatinine (Cr), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), and bicarbonate (HCO3¯) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in subgroups A2 and B2 compared with controls (A1 and B1); conversely, serum levels of these parameters, except for Na+, decreased significantly (P<0.05) in subgroups A3 and B3 compared with A2 and B2. A significant (P<0.05) increase in serum levels of U, Cr, Na+, K+, and Cl- was observed in B1 compared with A1. A reduction in mean kidney weight and some pathological changes in kidney histology were noted in subgroups A2 and B2, but not in A3, B3, or the control groups. Overall, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) showed nephrotoxic effects on renal function indices in female Wistar rats, whereas ascorbic acid demonstrated renoprotective effects.