Protective effect of beta-carotene on hepato-nephrotoxicity of gentamicin in male Wistar rats

Background: Despite causing significant tissue damage at the molecular and cellular levels, partly due to its induction of oxidative stress, it remains of interest in medical applications. Beta-carotene, found in fruits and vegetables, is being studied for its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to explore beta-carotene's protective effects against gentamicin-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Method: Thirty male Wistar-rats were divided into five groups. Control group received normal-saline, while the canola group received canola oil (beta-carotene solvent). Gentamicin group received 100 mg/kg gentamicin injections for seven days. Beta-carotene groups were treated with beta-carotene at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg for 10 days, along with gentamicin from the fourth day for 7 days. Serum and tissue hepatorenal function tests were performed at the end of the study. Results: Gentamicin resulted in hepatorenal damage. Beta-carotene alongside gentamicin significantly decreased serum SGOT (152.3 f 12.7 vs. 264.8 f 9.3 IU/L), SGPT (65.7 f 2.5 vs. 98.0 f 4.8 IU/L), creatinine (0.74 f 0.0 vs. 1.5 f 0.1 mg/dL), and urea (78.1 f 10.7 vs. 207.4 f 23.6 mg/dL) in comparison to gentamicin alone (p < 0.05). Beta-carotene caused a significant decrease in vacuolar degeneration, interstitial nephritis and infiltration of lymphocytes in kidney, and cell necrosis, vacuolar degeneration and infiltration of leukocytes compared to the gentamicin group; additionally, beta-carotene prevented increase in oxidative stress in gentamicin group. Conclusion: Administration of gentamicin alone resulted in hepatorenal toxicity, whereas beta-carotene could prevent gentamicin-induced oxidative stress imbalance and tissue damage. Therefore, beta-carotene could serve as an adjunctive therapy to mitigate hepatorenal toxicity in patients undergoing gentamicin treatment.