The Protective Impacts of Spriulina Platensis Against Cisplatin-Induced Renal Injury Through The Regulation of Oxidative Stress, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Bax/Bcl2 Expression Cascade

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> One of the main antineoplastic chemotherapy medications is <italic>cisplatin</italic>; nephropathy is a major side effect of cisplatin. The current study investigates the molecular protective effect of <italic>Spirulina Platensis</italic> (<italic>SP</italic>) on <italic>cisplatin</italic>-induced nephrotoxicity. Forty eight healthy male albino rats were allocated into 4 groups. Group 1 received saline intraperitoneally (IP) twice per week (normal rats). Group 2, received <italic>SP </italic>(100 mg/kg bw orally). Group 3 injected cisplatin (1.5mg/kg IP) twice per week. Group 4 received <italic>SP</italic> and at 4^th day received cisplatin (1.5mg/kg IP) for 21 days. After 3 weeks of experimentation, blood and renal tissues were taken for serum analysis, gene expression using qRT-PCR and renal histopathology. <italic>SP</italic> significantly ameliorated the alterations in the body weight, relative kidney weight, and the disturbance in examined renal markers. Furthermore oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, NO, SOD, and GSH) induced by cisplatin were recovered and restored by <italic>SP</italic>. <italic>Cisplatin</italic> induced upregulation in the gene expression of <italic>TNF-α, iNOS, TGF1-β, IL-1β</italic> and <italic>IL-6</italic> that were ameliorated by pre-administration of <italic>SP</italic>. Finally, <italic>cisplatin</italic> upregulated pro-apoptotic gene; <italic>Bax</italic> and downregulated anti-apoptotic gene; <italic>Bcl2</italic>. Of interest, <italic>SP</italic> mitigated this alteration in apoptosis and anti-apoptosis associated genes. Renal histopathology revealed the protective impacts of <italic>SP</italic> against <italic>cisplatin</italic> induced severe glomerular congestion, hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, degeneration and sever necrosis in renal glomeruli and tubules. In conclusion, <italic>SP</italic> has protective impact against cisplatin induced renal damage through the modulation of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, anti-necrotic and anti-apoptotic associated genes.