Valsartan prevents glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in male albino rats by downregulating TLR4 and NF-κB expression

In this study, the protective effect of valsartan against glycerol-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in male albino rats was investigated. Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure and can prolong lifespan following a heart attack. The rats were divided into control, AKI, AKI + valsartan 100 mg/kg bw, and AKI + valsartan 200 mg/kg bw groups. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, lipid peroxidation, and reduced glutathione were assessed, and histopathological, immunohistochemical and western blot analyses were performed. Valsartan supplementation in AKI rats substantially increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione levels but reduced the level of lipid peroxidation. Valsartan significantly reduced the severity of the renal tubular injury, renal lesions, and necrosis. Valsartan decreased NF-κB and TLR4 mRNA expression by >50% and their protein levels by >40%. Therefore, valsartan supplementation inhibited glycerol-induced functional and pathological damage to the kidney in a concentration-dependent manner. We propose that valsartan protects rat kidney tissue by downregulating NF-κB and TLR4 expression.