Protective Effects of Serotonin and its Derivatives, N-Feruloylserotonin and N-(p-Coumaroyl) Serotonin, Against Cisplatin-Induced Renal Damage in Mice

This study examined whether serotonin and two of its derivatives, N-feruloylserotonin and N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin, have a renoprotective effect in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. Cisplatin (20mg/kg body weight) was administered by intraperitoneal injection to male BALB/c mice that had received oral serotonin, N-feruloylserotonin or N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin (7.5mg/kg body weight per day) during the preceding 2 days. At 3 days after the cisplatin injection, serum and renal biochemical factors, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis-related protein expression were evaluated, and histological examinations were performed. Cisplatin caused reduction in body weight and an increase in kidney weight; however, N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin and N-feruloylserotonin attenuated these effects. Moreover, the serotonin derivatives significantly decreased serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. They also significantly reduced the level of reactive oxygen species and upregulated the expressio...