PROPHYLACTIC ROLE OF CURCUMIN IN PROTECTING DISTAL CONVOLUTED TUBULE DIAMETER AGAINST ASPIRIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: Aspirin is one of the widely used anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drug worldwide, that can cause nephrotoxic effects by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. Curcumin, an active component of turmeric, has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to protect renal tubules.
Objective: To determine the protective role of curcumin in preserving the diameter of distal convoluted tubules (DCT) after aspirin-induced renal toxicity in adult female albino rats.
Methods: A total of sixty albino rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups. Group A was the control group and were given distilled water Group B received aspirin alone, and Groups C and D received aspirin along with low and high doses of curcumin, respectively. Renal tissues were taken out for histological evaluation and for morphometric measurement of DCT diameter. ANOVA followed by Tukey's test was used for the analysis of data.
Results: The largest diameter of DCT was observed in Group A (56.7 ± 2.4 µm). Administration of aspirin significantly decreased DCT diameter in Groups B and C. While Group D showed significant preservation of diameter when compared to Group C and Group B and it was statistically significant with a p value of p=0.007.
Conclusion: Curcumin showed a dose-dependent protective effect on distal tubular structures to counteract against aspirin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Keywords: Curcumin, Aspirin, Distal Convoluted Tubule, Nephrotoxicity, Albino Rats