Abstract
Background: Nephrotoxicity is the most recognized side effect of gentamicin. Vitamin
E and vitamin C demonstrate their effective role in the prevention of nephrotoxicity.
Likewise, previous studies have suggested that women have low risk of end-stage renal
disease at premenopausal period.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the possibility of any gender difference in response
to antioxidant effects vitamins E and C in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups each including both
male and female rats. The first and second groups received saline (control group) and
almond oil, the third group received gentamicin. The fourth group received a regular
dose of gentamicin + vitamin E. Similarly, the fifth group received a regular dose of
gentamicin + vitamin C. The sixth group received a dose of gentamicin + vitamin C and
E simultaneously constantly. This protocol continued for 9 days.
Results: Gentamicin increased significantly urea, creatinine (Cr) and malondialdehyde
(MDA), but it decreased superoxidase dismutase (SOD) level (P < 0.05). Treatment with
antioxidant vitamins improved urea, creatinine, MDA, and SOD serum level significantly
in both genders (P <0.05). Likewise, kidney MDA level enhanced significantly (P <0.05)
and treatment with antioxidant vitamins reduced MDA level too (P <0.05). Gentamicin
decreased kidney SOD activity in male and female rats (P <0.05). However, treatment with
antioxidant vitamins did not improve its level in male rats, while in female rats, vitamins
E and C compensated for kidney SOD activity.
Conclusions: Antioxidant vitamins modified gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in both
genders, with some difference in response to vitamins E and C between the genders, that
was higher in female rats.