Protective Effect of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Pelargonium Graveolens L. on Rats with Acetaminophen- Induced Nephrotoxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Geranium has various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects. Prescribing glutathione probably enhances the protective mechanisms of nephrons against oxidative stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of geranium on acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxic rats. METHODS: In the present study, 70 mice were divided into seven groups. In five groups (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5), different doses of geranium were given by gavage to the mice for seven days, then on the 8th day, a high dose of acetaminophen was administered intraperitoneally. Group T5 only received geranium extract. The control group received neither acetaminophen nor the extract while the last group received only a toxic dose of acetaminophen. Twenty-four hours after the last drug administration, blood samples were taken to check the levels of uric acid, blood nitrogen, and creatinine. The data were analyzed in SPSS version 25. To investigate the between-group factors' effects, one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test was performed at the alpha level of < 0.05. RESULTS: The differences between the levels of blood creatinine, urea, and uric acid were significant (P < .001) among the groups. The mean blood urea for groups T3 and T4 were similar, and they had a significant difference in comparison with the control group (P < .05). The mean creatinine levels were similar between T4, T5, and the control groups and were significantly different from the other groups (P < .05). Blood uric acid for groups T1 and T2 were similar to Group B and higher than the other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that by strengthening cell protection mechanisms against oxidative stress, geranium extract reduces the toxic effects of acetaminophen on mice's kidney function and thus ameliorates the damage. As a result, the geranium extract has no adverse effects on kidney function.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.6679.

The Effect of Ostrich Oil as a Complementary Medicine on the Severity of Pruritus and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Pruritus is one of the most common problems in a uremic syndrome that reduces the quality of life due to the constant unpleasant feeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ostrich oil massage on the severity of pruritus and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In this study, 68 hemodialysis patients with pruritus were selected based on the available sampling method. The intervention group used 1 mL ostrich oil on the pruritus area for 10 min each night for 1 month. The control group received a placebo massage. Pruritus severity questionnaire-based itch severity scale and quality of life questionnaire were completed, respectively, at the end of each week and at the end of the period. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 23 and applying on independent t test, paired t test, and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: During the first and second weeks after the treatment, there was no statistical difference between the mean scores of pruritus severity in both groups (p > 0.05); however, in the third and fourth weeks after the treatment, the mean severity level of pruritus in the ostrich oil group was lower than in the placebo group, and these differences were statistically significant between the two groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in quality of life between two groups of ostrich and placebo. CONCLUSION: The use of ostrich oil was effective in reducing pruritus in hemodialysis patients. This method can be proposed as a complementary method for relieving pruritus in hemodialysis patients.