Protective Effects of Co-Treatment with Vitamin C on the Renal Toxicity Induced By Deferasirox in Rats

Defrasirox (Exjade) is an iron chelating drug used in patients with beta thalassemia major. Oxidative stress is one of the most important causes of nephrotoxicity and its progression. Defecirox due to oxidative stress and increased cell apoptosis causes dysfunction of renal tubules and renal toxicity. In this study, according to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the effect of vitamin C on kidney damage caused by defrasirox was investigated.

This study was performed on 30 Wistar rats in three groups, control group, Deferasirox group and Deferasirox with vitamin C group. Inorder to induce the nephrotoxicity, intra-peritoneum injection of deferasirox(75 mg/kg/day) has been used. After taking plasma from blood samples of the rats, the determination of  values of [17]Cr], [Na+], [K+], [Mg+], osmolality , [BUN] in plasma and urine samples performed. The creatinine clearance, relative and absolute excretion of sodium and potassium have been calculated. After separating the two kidneys, they used for  histologic study  with H&E staining and, MDA and FRAP bichemical study.

Cotreatment with deferasirox and  vitamin C, reduced renal tissue MDA and relative and absolute Na and K excretion and urine osmolarity also increased creatinine clearance and renal tissue FRAP .

Co treatment adminstration of  vitamin C has a significant protective effect on the renal toxicity induced by defacirox. The protective ability of deferasirox is because of the antioxidant properties of vitamin C in reducing oxidative stress and reducing lipid peroxidation.