Protective Effects of Liposomal Curcumin on Oxidative Stress/Antioxidant Imbalance, Metalloproteinases 2 and -9, Histological Changes and Renal Function in Experimental Nephrotoxicity Induced by Gentamicin.

Background: Our study aimed to assess the efficiency of Curcumin nanoformulation (LCC) on experimental nephrotoxicity induced by Gentamicin in rats.

Methods: Six groups of seven rats were used: C-(control group) received saline solution i.p. (i.p. = intraperitoneal), G-gentamicin (G, 80 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)), GCC1 and GCC2-with G and CC solution (single dose of 10 mg/kg b.w.-CC1, or 20 mg/kg b.w.-CC2), GLCC1 (10 mg/kg b.w.) and GLCC2 (20 mg/kg b.w.) with G and LCC administration. Oxidative stress parameters (NOx = nitric oxide, MDA = malondialdehyde, TOS = total oxidative stress), antioxidant parameters (CAT = catalase, TAC = total antioxidant capacity), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), and renal function parameters (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urea) were measured. Kidneys histopathologic examination was made for each group.

Results: Pretreatment with CC and LCC in both doses had significantly alleviating effects on assessed parameters (NOx, MDA, TOS, CAT, TAC, MMP-2, and -9) as compared with the untreated group ( < 0.006). Histopathological aspect and renal function were significantly improved in CC and LCC groups. Liposomal formulation (LCC) showed higher efficiency on all examined parameters compared to CC ( < 0.006).

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated improving renal function and kidney cytoarchitecture, oxidative stress/antioxidant/balance, and MMPs plasma concentrations with better dose-related efficacity of LCC than CC.