The effect of ellagic acid on renal injury associated with acrylamide in experimental rats

Introduction: Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic substance that has renal toxicity. We aim to investigate the therapeutic activity of ellagic acid (EA) on renal injury induced by ACR in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were assigned into 5 groups: the control group (5ml/kg normal saline), the ACR group (20mg/kg ACR), the ACR+EA10 group (ACR and 10mg/kg EA), the ACR+EA30 group (ACR and 30mg/kg EA) and the EA30 group (30mg/kg EA). ACR and EA were daily administered by gavage for 30 days. Renal function was assessed by measuring the sera levels of creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Renal oxidative and inflammatory markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). hematoxylin and eosin staining was employed to assess pathological alternations of the kidney. Results: EA (more potentially 30mg/kg) administration alleviated the ACR-induced alterations in Cr and BUN levels. Moreover, EA treatment reduced the elevated levels of MDA, NO and PC as well as TNF-α and IL-1β content in renal tissue. Furthermore, reduced activity of SOD and CAT as well as GSH content in the kidney was increased by EA treatment. EA attenuated the ACR- induced pathological alterations in kidney. Conclusion: These findings suggested that EA could mitigate ACR-induced kidney injury due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.