Amelioration of Chronic Cyclosporine A-Induced Nephrotoxicity by Telmisartan in Rats

Abstract

Background: Nephrotoxicity is a major problem of Cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment, despite its beneficial role in organ transplantation and in a variety of immunologic disorders. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the potential renoprotective role of telmisartan in amelioration of chronic CsA induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods: the rats were randomized into 4 equal groups. Group 1 received normal saline (control), group 2 received Cremophor EL and ethanol (CsA vehicle), group 3 received CsA 25mg/kg/day s.c and group 4 received telmisartan 3mg/kg/day orally in addition to CsA. The rats were pair fed a standard chow diet throughout the experiment period (8 weeks). Results: CsA nephrotoxicity was assessed in terms of increased S.Cr, blood urea and serum K. CsA also caused significant increase (p<0.01) in MDA and significant decrease (p<0.01) in GSH and catalase in renal tissue. Telmisartan failed to restore the altered renal functions. On the other hand, it causes a significant improvement in the histological changes including the tubulointerstisial fibrosis and arteriolopathy (p<0.01). It also caused significant reduction (p<0.01) in CsA-induced oxidative stress. These findings suggested that telmisartan has a promising renoprotective effect against chronic CsA induced nephrotoxicity