A NEW AGENT IN PREVENTION OF CONTRAST-INDUCED NEPHROPATHY : DRAGON FRUIT (HYLOCEREUS POLYRHIZUS) EXTRACT

Purpose: We aimed to investigate dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) extract effectiveness by creating a nephropathy model with contrast media toxicity after dehydration and furosemide administration to rats. Methods: Total 36 male Sprague dawley rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups (n: 6). At the end of the experiment kidney organs and blood was taken for histopathologic and biochemical analyze (malondialdehyde, glutathione, serum urea nitrogen and serum creatine). Results: Renal injury markers of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels decreased (p<0.05) in the groups that given dragon fruit extract depending on the dose manner compared to the group that was given contrast media. While oxidative stress increased in given contrast media group, MDA levels improved statistically significance in the groups given dragon fruit extract depending on the dose compared to the group that was given contrast media. Also tissue GSH levels increased in the groups given dragon fruit extract depending on the dose compared to the group that was given contrast media. Vacuolization damage was minimal and inflammation was not seen in these groups according to the histopathological analyses. Conclusion: Dragon fruit extract, a strong antioxidative agent, application together with contrast media can play a protective role against renal tubule via reduced renal injury markers, oxidative damage.