Calcium dobesilate ameliorates hepatorenal injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice

Calcium dobesilate (CaD) has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. In this study, the protective effects of CaD against hepatorenal damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice were evaluated. 

Thirty male mice were randomly divided into five groups: Control, CaD 100 mg/kg, CCl4, CCl4+CaD 50 mg/kg, and CCl4+CaD 100 mg/kg. CaD (50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered orally once a day for 4 weeks. The liver and kidney indices (serum creatinine, blood urine nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels) were determined. Also, liver and kidney tissue oxidant/anti-oxidant markers (glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, total anti-oxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase) were measured. Cleaved caspase-3, Bax, cytochrome-c, and Bcl-2 protein levels were measured by immunoblotting method in the liver and kidney tissues. The liver and kidney histopathological changes were evaluated by the Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining method.

CCl4 induced significant oxidative stress and apoptosis in kidney and liver tissues that was concomitant with histopathological abnormalities in these organs in the CCl4 group versus the control (P<0.05). However, CaD (100 mg/kg) could significantly improve the histopathological change in the liver and kidney tissues of CCl4+CaD 100 mg/kg mice versus the CCl4 group (P<0.05). In addition, CaD (100 mg/kg) attenuated the pro and anti-apoptotic markers in the liver and kidney tissues of CCl4+CaD 100 mg/kg mice versus the CCl4 group (P<0.05).

CaD (100 mg/kg) has a protective effect against hepatorenal injury induced by CCl4 at least via its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant properties.