Protective effect of quercetin in cisplatin-induced cell injury in the rat kidney

Objectives: To assess the protective effect of quercetin, a plant bioflavonoid, on cisplatin (CisDDP) induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Effect of the simultaneous treatment of quercetin (20 mg/kg, i.p., once a week x5) on cisplatin (3mg/kg, i.p., once a week x 5 ) induced renal epitheleal damage and lipid peroxidation was studied in the kidney of rats. Levels of markers indicative of nephrotoxicity such as urea, uric acid and creatinine were assessed in the serum. Changes in body weight were noted every week. The total protein content, levels of lipid peroxides and the activities of Na+ K + ATPase, Ca 2+ ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase were also assayed in the kidney. The glutathione content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as super oxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-s-transferase were estimated in the kidney. Results: Cisplatin administration caused a significant increase in the levels of all serum biochemical indices. The levels of lipid peroxides (in terms of TBA reactants) were increased significantly in serum and kidney. The activities of Na+ K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase were decreased significantly in the kidney. The glutathione content and activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreased considerably in the kidney of cisplatin treated rats when compared to normal control. Quercetin administration per se did not cause any change compared to the controls. However concomitant treatment of quercetin with cisplatin showed considerable decrease in levels of markers for nephrotoxicity and lipid peroxides and increased ATPase activities compared to CisDDP treated group. Glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased . Conclusion: Quercetin has significant cytoprotective effect in cisplatin-induced renal tubular damage in vivo in rats.