Potential Renal-Protective and/or Therapeutic Effect of L-Carnosine in Rats with Chronic Renal Failure

Extensive renal ablation is accompanied by a constellation of consequences as nitric oxide (NO) deficiency, oxidative stress (OS), apoptosis, abnormal lipid metabolism, pancreatic insufficiency, and disturbed renal function; events that are related, in part, to redox system disruption. This study aimed to assess the possible reno- protective and/or therapeutic effect of the antioxidant, L-carnosine, against chronic renal failure (CRF) insult. The 5/6 nephrectomy (NX) rat model was adopted for this study, where the right kidney was removed and two thirds of the left one was cauterized. Male albino rats were assigned into five groups, viz., sham, sham treated with L-carnosine, 5/6 NX control, as well as, 5/6 NX pre- and post-treated with L-carnosine (50 mg/kg, i.p). The subtotal nephrectomized group showed marked proteinuria, increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and cystatin- C along with decreased total proteinemia and albuminemia. In addition, aberrant lipid profile, elevated blood pressure and activated caspase-3 and pancreatic lipase were detected. Decreased NO levels and increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were noticed in CRF rats serum and tissue. The aforementioned parameters were improved by pre- and post- administration of L-carnosine, with a more pronounced effect in the L-carnosine post-treated group. In conclusion, the results indicate that L-carnosine, tested for protection and treatment, can improve the renal function of rats with chronic renal failure by scavenging free radicals, restoring NO, regulating lipid and protein metabolism, maintaining balance between prooxidants and antioxidants, and reducing expression of caspase-3 in renal tissue.