Protective effects of tasimelteon on kidney injury in a traumatic brain injury rat model: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study.

PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition characterized by structural and functional damage to the brain following trauma and is a significant cause of mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported in patients with TBI and is a commonly encountered complication. This study examines the effect of tasimelteon (Tasi) application on kidney tissue in TBI rats by histopathological and immunohistochemical staining. METHODS: Forty male Wistar Albino rats weighing 300–350 g were randomly divided into four groups: Control group, Trauma group (Trau), Trau-Tasi-1 group (trauma-1 mg/kg Tasi intraperitoneally), and Trau-Tasi-10 group (trauma-10 mg/kg Tasi intraperitoneally). At the end of the experimental phase, after euthanasia, kidney tissue was collected for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: The results of histopathological and immunohistochemical staining demonstrate that brain trauma may induce kidney injury, while Tasi possesses the potential to ameliorate kidney lesions associated with TBI. It has been found that Trau-Tasi-10 is more effective in treatment compared to Trau-Tasi-1. CONCLUSION: We observed Tasi’s kidney injury ameliorating activity in TBI rats through histopathological and immunohistochemical staining findings. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00068-025-02915-6.