Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of contrast media in angiography has risen alongside the increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Contrast agents cause acute kidney injury due to increased oxidative stress. Antioxidants such as crocin may help prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial involved 60 patients over 18 years old undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Standard hydration therapy was administered to the patients in both groups. The intervention group received 30 mg crocin three consecutive times. Oxidative stress levels and antioxidant system activity were measured, including malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The prevalence of CI-AKI was also examined by measuring serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). RESULTS: The analysis found no statistically significant differences between the groups for the GPx, CAT, MDA, ROS, SOD, SCr, BUN, and eGFR indices (P > 0.05). The study found a significant decrease in the average SCr and BUN in the intervention group post-PCI (P < 0.05). There were two incidences of CIN in the control group and none in the intervention group; however, the two groups did not differ significantly (P = 0.492). Conclusion: Although oral administration of 30 mg of crocin did not lead to significant changes in oxidant biomarkers, the capacity of the antioxidant defense system tended to increase. Moreover, SCr, BUN, and the incidence of CI-AKI were lower in the intervention group.