The protective impact of glutamine on anti-tuberculosis drug-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats

This study assessed the protective effect of glutamine (GTN) against rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/ethambutol (RIPE)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty adult Wistar rats (200±20 g) of both sexes were grouped into 6 of 5 rats/group. The rats were treated daily for 30 days as follows: Group 1 (Vehicle control [normal saline 0.2mL]), group 2 (GTN 200 mg/kg), group 3 (RIPE 150, 75, 400 and 275 mg/kg in vehicle), group 4 (GTN 50 mg/kg +RIPE), group 5 (GTN 100 mg/kg +RIPE) and group 6 (GTN 200 mg/kg +RIPE). After treatment, blood samples were obtained and assessed for serum renal biomarkers. Kidneys were harvested, weighed and assessed for oxidative stress markers and histology. RIPE significantly (p<0.01) decreased body weight and significantly (p<0.01) increased kidney weight when compared to the control. Serum urea, creatinine, uric acid levels and kidney malondialdehyde levels were significantly (p<0.001) increased in RIPE-treated rats when compared to the control. Serum total protein, albumin, kidney glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly decreased (p<0.001) in RIPE-treated rats when compared to the control. RIPE caused tubular necrosis and collapsed glomeruli in the kidneys of rats. However, body and liver weights were significantly restored in GTN 100 mg/kg +RIPE and GTN 200 mg/kg +RIPE-treated rats at p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively when compared to RIPE. Serum and kidney oxidative stress markers were restored in GTN 50 mg/kg +RIPE, GTN 100 mg/kg +RIPE and GTN 200 mg/kg +RIPE-treated rats at p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively, when compared to RIPE. GTN restored kidney histology. GTN protects against RIPE-induced nephrotoxicity in a dose-related fashion.