Beneficial effects of sulfated polysaccharides from Sargassum wightii against mitochondrial alterations induced by Cyclosporine A in rat kidney.

Sulfated polysaccharides from marine seaweeds are receiving continuous attention owing to their wide therapeutic applications and are known to inhibit free radical generation. It has been well known that mitochondria are the major sources as well as the target of free radicals. The renal tubules have high density of mitochondria and therefore show structural and functional defects in acute renal failure.

Low molecular weight heparin protection against oxalate-induced oxidative renal insult.

Background: Oxidative stress has emerged as an invariable feature of calculogenesis, the process of stone formation. The cytoprotective action of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in calcium oxalate-induced oxidative renal injury in experimental calculogenesis was studied.

Methods: A renal membrane injury model involving gentamicin (40 mg/kg body weight) and 2% ammonium oxalate was used.