Protective Effect of Vitamins A, E, and C on the Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induced Oxidative Stress Status in Kidney of Male Wistar Rats

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of All-trans retinoic acid, Alpha-tocopherol, and vitamin C against ZnO-NP-induced kidney damage. Fifty-four rats were divided into nine groups, including Groups Con1 (deionized water), Con2 (olive oil), VitA (All-trans retinoic acid 1000 IU/kg), Group VitE (Alpha-tocopherol 100 IU/kg), VitC (Vitamin C 200 mg/kg), ZnO (ZnO-NPs 200 mg/kg), ZnO + VitA (All-trans retinoic acid 1000 mg/kg + ZnO-NP 200 mg/kg), ZnO + VitE (Alpha-tocopherol 100 IU/kg + ZnO-NP 200 mg/kg), and ZnO + VitC (VitaminC 200 mg/kg + ZnO-NPs 200 mg/kg). Expression of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide mutase (SOD) genes was evaluated by real-time PCR. Urea, creatinine, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), CAT, GPX, and SOD activity were assayed by colorimetric methods. ZnO-NPs decreased TAC levels and CAT, GPX, and SOD activity and increased the levels of Urea, TOS, and MDA in the kidney. ZnO-NPs also caused histopathological lesions in the tissue. Treatment with All-trans retinoic acid and Alpha-tocopherol prevented the worsening of oxidative stress and increased urea and BUN levels. Thus, the mentioned variables in the ZnO + VitA and ZnO + VitE groups were not significantly different from those in the control groups. These vitamins improved the ZnO-NPs-induced kidney lesions. Although the present study revealed All-trans retinoic acid and Alpha-tocopherol partly prevent ZnO-NP-induced kidney damage, no significant difference was observed between the level of the studied variables in the groups ZnO + VitA and ZnO + VitE, and group ZnO. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate these vitamins effects on ZnO-NP-induced nephrotoxicity with emphasis on other aspects such as inflammation.