Protective impact of resveratrol in experimental rat model of hyperoxaluria.

Purpose: Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and many other physiological effects on tissues. In the present study, the effect of resveratrol in hyperoxaluria driven nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis is investigated.

Methods: Wistar-Albino rats of 250-300 g (male, n = 24) were included in the present study. The rats were randomized into three groups: Group 1 consisted of the controls (n = 8), Group 2 of hyperoxaluria (1% ethylene glycol (EG), n = 8), and Group 3 of the treatment (1% EG + 10 mg/kg of RES, n = 8) group. At the beginning and fifth week of the study, two rats from each group were placed in metabolic cages for 24 h and their urine was collected. At the end of the study, the rats were killed and their blood was collected from the vena cava inferior. The right kidneys of the rats were used for biochemical and the left ones for immunohistochemical analyzes. Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, urea, calcium, oxalate, and creatinine clearance were studied in the blood, urine, and kidney tissues. Moreover, routine histological evaluation, and p38-MAPK and NFkB immunohistochemical analyses were conducted.

Results: In the hyperoxaluria group, urinary oxalate levels were higher than the control group; yet, lower in the treatment group compared to hyperoxaluria group (p < 0.05). Serum MDA levels in the hyperoxaluria group were higher than the control group; but in the treatment group it is lower than the hyperoxaluria group (p < 0.05). P38 MAPK activity was higher in the hyperoxaluria group compared to the control (p < 0.05). However, in terms of p38 MAPK activity, there were no statistically significant difference between hyperoxaluria and the treatment group (p < 0.069). Whereas NFkB activity in the hyperoxaluria group is higher than the control (p < 0.001), no statistically significant difference was observed with the treatment group.

Conclusions: In the present study, resveratrol was seen to prevent hyperoxaluria. With preventing oxidative stress factors and Randall plaque formation caused by free oxygen radicals, resveratrol can be an alternative treatment option that can increase the success rate in preventing stone recurrence in the future.