Abstract
OBJECTIVES: 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 (CCl(4)) in mice were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male mice were randomly divided into five groups: Control, CaD 100 mg/kg, CCl(4), CCl(4)+CaD 50 mg/kg, and CCl(4)+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. RESULTS: CCl(4) induced significant oxidative stress and apoptosis in kidney and liver tissues that was concomitant with histopathological abnormalities in these organs in the CCl(4) 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 CCl(4)+CaD 100 mg/kg mice versus the CCl(4) group (P<0.05). In addition, CaD (100 mg/kg) attenuated the pro and anti-apoptotic markers in the liver and kidney tissues of CCl(4)+CaD 100 mg/kg mice versus the CCl(4) group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CaD (100 mg/kg) has a protective effect against hepatorenal injury induced by CCl(4) at least via its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant properties.