Eugenol Mitigates γ-rays-induced Acute Renal Destructive Impacts in Rats

A CUTE renal injury is a common and hazardous distress of γ-rays’ exposure. The aim of the current study is to explore the role of eugenol on γ-rays-induced acute kidney lesions in rats. The rats were separated into four groups (n=6). The control group received saline for two weeks. The eugenol group received i.p. 20 mg/kg Eugenol for two weeks. The γ-rays group was pretreated with saline for a week, then whole-body exposed to 8 Gy γ-rays and saline treatment continued for another week. The rats in γ-rays+ eugenol group received Eugenol for a week pre-irradiation, then were exposed to γ-rays and eugenol treatment continued for another week. The blood and kidney samples were collected for histopathological and biochemical investigations. It was observed that exposure to γ-rays induced atrophy of glomeruli with increasing capsular space, expanded renal tubules and congested inter tubular blood vessels. Histological changes were accompanied by significant decreases in the level of antioxidants: reduced glutathione content (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities with a significant increase of malondialdehyde (MDA; end-product of lipid peroxidation), indicating oxidative stress. Significant increases in the levels of inflammatory markers, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1β) levels were recorded also. Kidney damage was substantiated by significant increases in urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamyltransferase (γGT), and disturbance of electrolytes balance; elevated sodium (Na + ), and decreased potassium (K + ). Eugenol treatment has significantly improved histological damage oxidative stress and inflammatory-biomarkers, which was accompanied by significant amelioration of kidney functions. It could be concluded that eugenol may alleviate acute kidney injury resulting from γ -rays exposure through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.