Protective effects of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) on vancomycin-induced oxidative nephrotoxic damage in rats.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Vancomycin (VCM), an important antibiotic against refractory infections, has been used to treat secondary infections in severe COVID-19 patients. Regrettably, VCM treatment has been associated with nephrotoxicity. Vitamin D3 can prevent nephrotoxicity through its antioxidant effect.

OBJECTIVE:

This study tests the antioxidant effect of vitamin D3 in the prevention of VCM-induced nephrotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Wistar Albino rats (21) were randomly divided into 3 groups: (A) control; (B) VCM 300 mg/kg daily for 1 week; and (C) VCM plus vitamin D3 500 IU/kg daily for 2 weeks. All the rats were sacrificed and serum was separated to determine kidney function parameters. Their kidneys were also dissected for histological examination and for oxidative stress markers.

RESULTS:

Lipid peroxidation, creatinine, and urea levels decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) in the vitamin D3-treated group (14.46, 84.11, 36.17%, respectively) compared to the VCM group that was given VCM (MIC<2 μg/mL) only. A significant increase was observed in superoxide dismutase levels in the vitamin D3-treated group (p < 0.05) compared to rats without treatment. Furthermore, kidney histopathology of the rats treated with vitamin D3 showed that dilatation, vacuolization and necrosis tubules decreased significantly (p < 0.05) compared with those in the VCM group. Glomerular injury, hyaline dystrophy, and inflammation improved significantly in the vitamin D3 group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively) compared with the VCM group.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

Vitamin D3 can prevent VCM nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the appropriate dose of this vitamin must be determined, especially for those infected with COVID-19 and receiving VCM, to manage their secondary infections.

• Authors: Rouba Yasser Al-Sroji, Shaza Al-Laham, Ahmad Almandili
• Journal: Pharmaceutical biology (Pharm Biol) Vol. 61 Issue 1 Pg. 755-766 (Dec 2023) ISSN: 1744-5116 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37139624 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Vancomycin
• Antioxidants
• Cholecalciferol

Topics

• Animals
• Rats
• Vancomycin (toxicity)
• Antioxidants (pharmacology, metabolism)
• Cholecalciferol (pharmacology, metabolism)
• Coinfection (metabolism, pathology)
• Rats, Wistar
• COVID-19 (metabolism)
• Kidney
• Oxidative Stress