Histopathological Evidence of Resveratrol-Mediated Renal Protection Against Gentamicin Toxicity in Rats
Fawiziah Khalaf AlharbiObjectives
Gentamicin remains a critical broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic for combating severe Gram-negative infections. However, its clinical utility is significantly hampered by its dose-dependent nephrotoxicity, a leading cause of drug-induced acute kidney injury. This renal damage is primarily characterized by proximal tubular necrosis, driven by oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a promising nephroprotective candidate, yet comprehensive histopathological evidence in the context of gentamicin toxicity is warranted. This study was designed to provide histopathological evidence for the renoprotective efficacy of resveratrol against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model.
Material and Methods
Forty adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups ( n =10). The control group (G1) received the vehicle only. The gentamicin group (G2) received gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally [IP]). The resveratrol group (G3) received resveratrol (20 mg/kg/day, orally). The protection group (G4) received both gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, IP) and resveratrol (20 mg/kg/day, orally). All treatments continued for 10 consecutive days. Upon sacrifice, kidney tissues were harvested, processed, and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) for detailed histopathological analysis.
Results
Histological evaluation of kidney sections from the control (G1) and resveratrol-only (G3) groups revealed normal renal architecture. The gentamicin-treated group (G2) exhibited severe pathological alterations, including extensive tubular epithelial necrosis, luminal hyaline casts, glomerular congestion, and marked inflammatory cell infiltration. In stark contrast, co-administration of resveratrol with gentamicin (G4) resulted in a remarkable preservation of renal histoarchitecture. Kidneys from this group showed significant attenuation of tubular damage, with only focal areas of mild degeneration, minimal cast formation, and a notable reduction in inflammatory infiltration compared to the gentamicin-alone group.
Conclusion
This study provides compelling histopathological evidence that resveratrol effectively mitigates gentamicin-induced renal injury. The significant preservation of renal microstructure underscores its potential as a nephroprotective adjuvant. Collectively, these findings conclude that resveratrol offers a viable strategy to enhance the therapeutic safety profile of this essential antibiotic.