Vitamin D Protects Against Gentamicin-Induced Kidney Damage in Rats Through Its Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Nephrotoxicity is one of the most important side effects of aminoglycosides, especially gentamicin. This study investigated the potential protective effect of vitamin D against gentamicin-induced kidney damage in rats. Forty-two male Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into six groups. The control group received saline. The gentamicin group was treated with intraperitoneal gentamicin (100 mg/kg) for 7 days. Vitamin D (1000 IU/kg) was given to the D1 group for 1 week and to the D2 group for 2 weeks by oral gavage. The simultaneous treatment group received both gentamicin and vitamin D in combination for 1 week. In the pretreatment group, vitamin D was administered during the first week, and then gentamicin and vitamin D were administered together for the second week. At the end of the drug administration, all rats were sacrificed. Blood and kidney samples of rats were analyzed using biochemical methods. Rat kidneys were examined using electron microscopes. Both vitamin D treatments decreased gentamicin-induced elevations in MDA, TNF-alpha, and IL-6. In addition, in the vitamin D pretreatment group, gentamicin-induced rises in creatinine and urea, and decreases in SOD were also lessened. Ultrastructural indicators were improved, especially with vitamin D pretreatment. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of vitamin D protect against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. The protective effect was considerably stronger if vitamin D was administered as a pretreatment. In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation before gentamicin treatment in the clinic may be an effective option to prevent the development of nephrotoxicity.