The impact of Technetium-99m dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy on DNA damage and oxidative stress in children.

BACKGROUND: Technetium-99m-dimercapto succinic acid (Tc-99m DMSA) scintigraphy is a commonly used imaging modality in children with urological abnormalities. The radiopharmaceuticals, which have the effects of ionising radiation, are used in this method. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Tc-99m DMSA scan on renal oxidative stress and mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) DNA damage. METHODS: Children, who were followed up by paediatric nephrology at Bezmialem Vakif University and underwent Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy between April 2015 and January 2016 with the indication of detection of renal scars, were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were nephrolithiasis, history of premature birth and recent urinary tract infection 3 months prior to scintigraphy or antibiotic use in the last 1 month. 3 mL heparinised blood samples were obtained just before, immediately after and 1 week after the scintigraphy. MNL DNA damage, total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured in the blood samples. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Spot urine samples were obtained from each patient before and within 3 days after performing the scintigraphy. TAS/Creatinine (TAS/Cr), TOS/Creatinine (TOS/Cr) and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase/creatinine (NAG/Cr) levels were measured in the urine samples. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were evaluated. The values between TAS, TOS and OSI levels in serum samples at baseline, immediately after and 1 week after the scintigraphy (P = .105, P = .913, and P = .721, respectively) showed no statistically significant difference. The levels of TAS/Cr, TOS/Cr, NAG/Cr ratios and OSI, which were evaluated from urine samples before and within 3 days after the scintigraphy scan were also similar (P = .391, P = .543, P = .819 and P = .179, respectively). The levels of DNA damage only increased following scintigraphy scan and decreased a week later (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy is insufficient to create oxidative damage, but it can cause DNA damage via the direct impact of ionising radiation which can be repaired again in a short time.

Evaluation of autonomic nervous system function in children with overactive bladder syndrome.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the autonomic nervous system activity in children with overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. METHODS: Included in the study were 40 children with overactive bladder and 28 healthy controls. Autonomic tests were performed on all participants, including heart rate interval variation (RRIV), heart rate response to valsalva maneuver, and sympathetic skin response (SSR). RESULTS: Mean valsalva rates in the overactive bladder and control groups were 1.53 ± 0.29 and 1.30 ± 0.18, respectively, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Also significantly different were deep breathing RRIV values of the study and control groups: 56.65 ± 14.66 and 47.92 ± 10.15, respectively (P = 0.008). No statistical differences were found in SSR when OAB patients were compared with controls (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a parasympathetic hyperactivity in children with OAB, results suggesting a dysfunction in their autonomic nervous systems. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:673-676, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Spontaneous evisceration of umbilical hernia in a patient with congenital nephrotic syndrome.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome is a term used to describe a condition in babies who develop severe proteinuria and hypoalbuminaemia within their first three months of life. They generally have oedema and ascites from birth which, because of increased intra-abdominal pressure, can result in an umbilical hernia. The report presents a five-month old infant with congenital nephrotic syndrome who had spontaneous umbilical hernia rupture with evisceration. The approach to umbilical hernias is usually conservative, but in selected cases elective surgery may be indicated.

Amikacin induced renal damage and the role of the antioxidants on neonatal rats.

Amikacin (AK) is frequently used on the treatment of Gram-negative infections on neonates, but its usage is restricted because of nephrotoxicity. In this study, on neonatal rats, we aimed to investigate the effects of erythropoietin and vitamin E on AK induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 35 newborn Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: (1) injected with saline (serum physiological was administered to placebo controls), (2) injected with AK (1200 mg/kg), (3) injected with AK + vitamin E (150 mg/kg), (4) injected with AK + erythropoietin (EPO) (300 IU/kg/day). In renal tissue, AK levels were significantly high in all groups except the control. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were statistically higher in AK -treated group than the control. MDA and NO levels were significantly decreased with the administration of vitamin E and EPO. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels were statistically low in AK group compared with the controls. The levels of GPX, in vitamin E group, were increased significantly. However, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were not significantly different in none of the groups. Insulin-like growth factor-1 values in AK, EPO and vitamin E groups were significantly higher than the control group. Histomorphological changes such as tubular epithelial necrosis were seen in AK treated group. Histopathological improvements observed with EPO and vitamin E administration. AK nephrotoxicity is related to oxidative stress and is supported with biochemical and histopathological findings. Vitamin E and EPO, as antioxidants, can be useful renoprotective agents for ameliorating AK induced nephrotoxicity in neonates.

Effects of long-term pre- and post-natal exposure to 2.45 GHz wireless devices on developing male rat kidney.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate oxidative stress and apoptosis in kidney tissues of male Wistar rats that pre- and postnatally exposed to wireless electromagnetic field (EMF) with an internet frequency of 2.45 GHz for a long time. METHODS: The study was conducted in three groups of rats which were pre-natal, post-natal. and sham exposed groups. Oxidative stress markers and histological evaluation of kidney tissues were studied. RESULTS: Renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant (TOS) levels of pre-natal group were high and total antioxidant (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were low. Spot urine NAG/creatinine ratio was significantly higher in pre- and post-natal groups (p < 0.001). Tubular injury was detected in most of the specimens in post-natal groups. Immunohistochemical analysis showed low-intensity staining with Bax in cortex, high-intensity staining with Bcl-2 in cortical and medullar areas of pre-natal group (p values, 0.000, 0.002, 0.000, respectively) when compared with sham group. Bcl2/Bax staining intensity ratios of medullar and cortical area was higher in pre-natal group than sham group (p = 0.018, p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it is thought that chronic pre- and post-natal period exposure to wireless internet frequency of EMF may cause chronic kidney damages; staying away from EMF source in especially pregnancy and early childhood period may reduce negative effects of exposure on kidney.

The role of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in Turkish infants with urolithiasis.

Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have recently been reported to be associated with urinary calculi in pediatric and adult cases, but no studies have looked at the youngest period of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of VDR gene polymorphisms in infantile urolithiasis in a Turkish population. We compared a study group of 104 infants (55 girls and 49 boys, mean age 6.94 ± 3.81 months) with a control group of 96 infants (51 girls and 45 boys, mean age 7.51 ± 3.23) to evaluate their demographics and metabolic risk factors. PCR-based restriction analysis of the polymorphisms on the VDR gene (BsmI and TaqI) showed statistically significant differences between study and control groups (p = 0.001 and 0.043, respectively). In addition, the prevalence of the BsmI genotype was significantly different between the hypercalciuric and normocalciuric stone formers (p = 0.007). Allelic frequencies were similar between the urolithiasis and control groups (p > 0.05). The B allele of BsmI and the A allele of ApaI were more prevalent in the hypercalciuric stone formers than in the normocalciuric stone formers (p = 0.018 vs.0.036, respectively). These results suggest that the BsmI and TaqI VDR genotypes could be candidate genes leading to infantile urolithiasis.

Impact of caffeic acid phenethyl ester treatment on vancomycin-induced pancreatic damage in rats.

This study investigates the preventive effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on pancreatic damage induced by vancomycin (VCM) in rats. Rats were equally divided into three groups: group I (control), group II (only VCM-treated group) and group III (VCM + CAPE-treated groups). VCM was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 200 mg kg(-1)twice daily for 7 days. CAPE was administered orally at 10 µM mL(-1) kg(-1) dose once daily for 7 days. The first dose of CAPE administration was performed 24 h prior to VCM injection. Blood and pancreas tissue samples were removed and collected after the study. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and lipase activities were determined. Pancreas tissue samples were evaluated with the light microscope. Group II significantly increased serum ALP, amylase, GGT and lipase activities when compared with the control group. Group III significantly decreased serum ALP, amylase, GGT and lipase activities when compared with group II. In histopathological examination, it has been observed that there was a significant pancreatic damage in group II. CAPE exerted prominent structural protection against VCM-induced pancreatic damage and this effect was statistically significant. CAPE caused a marked reduction in the extent of pancreatic damage. We have concluded that it may play an important role in the VCM-induced pancreatic damage and reduce the pancreatic damage both at the biochemical and histopathological aspects.

The different cutaneous presentations in three cases of Kawasaki disease as confounding factor of diagnosis.

We report three paediatric cases of Kawasaki disease (KD). Erythema multiforme (EM) was the presenting cutaneous feature in two patients, with young age (43 days old), macular rash and meningitis in the third patient. Diagnosis of KD was difficult due either to initial misdiagnosis of drug eruption, incomplete presentation, or the young age of the patient. Clinicians should be aware of these cutaneous presentations to prevent KD complications.

Determination of early urinary renal injury markers in obese children.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important health issue, the prevalence of which is increasing in childhood. The aim of this study was to examine urinary renal injury markers in order to determine the renal effect of obesity and its comorbidities in a pediatric population. METHODS: Eighty-four obese children and 64 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. We checked their urine using N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and microalbumin as renal injury markers. Associations of renal damage markers with hypertension, an impaired glucose tolerance test, and insulin resistance were assessed. RESULTS: Obese individuals had higher urinary NAG and KIM-1 values compared to those of healthy controls (p = 0.027, p = 0.026). There was no difference in urinary NGAL between obese and lean subjects (p = 0.885). Urinary renal injury markers were not statistically different in the obese group when checked for impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and hypertension (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that urinary NAG and KIM-1 could be used as a screening method for detection of early renal damage in obese children.

Is oxidative stress related to childhood urolithiasis?

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis is a common condition in pediatric populations in Turkey. The role of oxidative stress in renal stone formation in pediatric patients has not been reported to date. The aim of this study was to assess oxidative stress in childhood urolithiasis. METHODS: Seventy-four children diagnosed with urolithiasis and 72 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Kidney stone formers were evaluated by analysis of metabolic conditions related to urolithiasis, such as hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, hypocitraturia and hyperuricosuria. Urine total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured, and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as an indicator of the degree of oxidative stress. RESULTS: Among the stone formers, metabolic analyses revealed that 30 % had hypercalciuria, 45 % had hypocitraturia, 6 % had hyperoxaluria and 40 % had hyperuricosuria. Elevated levels of the renal tubular damage marker urinary N-acetyl- beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) was elevated in 25 % of the patient group, but microalbuminuria was not detected. Total oxidant status and total antioxidant status were significantly higher in stone formers than in the controls (p = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively). In addition, urinary NAG was significantly correlated with TOS (r = 0.427, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pediatric stone formers.

Rare cause of macroscopic hematuria in a pediatric patient: nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder.

Pediatric nephrogenic adenoma (NA) is an uncommon benign metaplastic lesion occurring in the urothelium. Herein we report a case of NA of the urinary bladder in a 14-year-old boy. The patient presented with macroscopic hematuria and had a history of ureteral surgery and long-term smoking. NA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any urinary tract tumor in the pediatric population.

Lisinopril attenuates renal oxidative injury in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.

Hypertension and related oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of any renal diseases. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have multi-directional renoprotective effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether lisinopril treatment has any biochemical alterations on renal tissue in L-NAME (Nε-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) induced hypertension model. Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were included in this study and divided into four equal groups (n = 7): control group, L-NAME treated group (75 mg/kg/day), L-NAME plus lisinopril treated group and only lisinopril treated group (10 mg/kg/day). L-NAME and lisinopril were continued for 6 weeks. Systolic blood pressures were measured by using tail cuff method. In biochemical analysis, malondialdehyde (MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation) levels, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in renal tissues were used as markers of oxidative stress-induced renal impairment. Microalbumin and N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in urine were determined as markers of renal tubular damage related to hypertension. Chronic L-NAME administration resulted in a significant depletion of serum nitric oxide (NO). When compared with control group, serum creatinine, microalbumin, urine NAG, renal tissue MDA level, and CAT activities were significantly high, while renal tissue SOD and GSH-Px activities low in L-NAME group. In the L-NAME plus lisinopril treated group, serum creatinine, microalbumin and urine NAG, renal MDA level and CAT activity decreased, whereas SOD, GSH-Px activities in renal tissue and serum NO levels were increased. Thus, lisinopril treatment reversed these effects. There were not any significant difference between L-NAME plus lisinopril treated group and control group concerning serum creatinine, renal tissue MDA level and SOD, GSH-Px, CAT activities. These results suggest that lisinopril could diminish biochemical alterations in L: -NAME induced hypertensive renal damage that occurs by oxidative stress.

Chronic renal failure and macrogenitalia associated with genitourinary neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder of the nervous system that primarily affects the development and growth of neural cell tissues. This disorder is characterized by the development of various tumors, including neurofibromas, neuroniomas, malignant and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and meningiomas. Accompanying skin changes and bone deformities are also common in NF. However, genitourinary involvement in NF is a rare condition, and penile enlargement has been reported only in a few males with plexiform NF. We report a 6-year-old boy with chronic renal failure associated with plexiform neurofibromas of the bladder and prostatic urethra which led to urinary obstruction and macrogenitalia due to genitourinary NF.

The protective effect of erdosteine on vancomycin-induced pancreatic damage in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate whether vancomycin (VCM) has a negative effect on pancreatic tissue and to elucidate the role of erdosteine (ERD), an expectorant and an antioxidant agent, on possible VCM-induced pancreas impairment in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 male Wistar albino rats were included in this study. All animals were equally divided into three groups as follows: Controls (n = 7), VCM treated group (200 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days intraperitoneally, n = 7) and VCM (200 mg/kg) + ERD treated group (10 mg/kg day orally ERD, n = 7). The first dose of ERD administration was performed 24 h prior to VCM injection and the study was continued for 7 days. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed. Blood and pancreas tissue samples were collected. For biochemical analysis, serum amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities were measured. For histopathological examination, pancreas tissue samples were investigated under the light microscope. RESULTS: VCM administration has significantly increased the serum amylase, lipase, ALP, and GGT activities, when compared with the controls. VCM + ERD administration significantly decreased the serum lipase, amylase, and GGT activities. There was no statistically significant difference between the VCM + ERD treated group and only VCM treated group by means of serum ALP levels. It has been observed that there was a prominent pancreatic tissue damage in only VCM given group. However, ERD exhibited structural protection against VCM-induced pancreatic damage and this effect was statistically significant. ERD has also obtained a marked reduction in the extent of pancreatic damage. CONCLUSION: Erdosteine may play an important role in the VCM-induced pancreatic damage and may reduce the pancreatic damage both in biochemical and histopathological aspects.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents cadmium-induced cardiac impairment in rat.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a flavonoid like compound, is one of the major components of honeybee propolis. It was found to be a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant recently. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of CAPE on cadmium (Cd)-induced hypertension and cardiomyopathy in rats. In particular, nitric oxide (NO) may contribute to the pathophysiology of Cd induced cardiac impairment. Malondialdehyde (MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation) levels and nitric oxide (NO, a vasodilator) levels were used as markers Cd-induced cardiac impairment and the success of CAPE treatment. Also, the findings have been supported by the histopathologic evidences. The rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups each (12), as follows: the control group, Cd-treated group (Cd) and Cd plus CAPE-treated group (Cd+CAPE). CdCl(2) in 0.9% NaCl was administrated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a dose of 1mg/kg/day. CAPE was co-administered i.p. a dose of 10 microM/kg for 15 days. Hypertension was found to be induced by intraperitoneal administration of Cd in a dose of 1mg/kg/day on the measurements taken 15 days later. MDA levels were increased (p<0.001) in cardiac tissue and NO levels were decreased (p<0.05) in serum in the Cd group than those of the control group had. On the other hand, there was a slight difference (increase) in MDA levels in the Cd+CAPE group than the ones in the control group (p<0.003). In addition, MDA levels were decreased and NO levels were increased in the Cd+CAPE group compared with the Cd group (p<0.001, p<0.0001, respectively). As a result, treatment with CAPE significantly reversed the increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) product, MDA, and decreased NO levels in Cd treated animals. In the histopathologic examination, a significant hypertrophy in atrial and ventricular myofibrils was observed in only Cd administered group, in comparison with the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the CAPE given and control groups by means of atrial and ventricular myofibril diameters. In conclusion, the underlying mechanism of the myocardial hypertrophy may be related to hypertension due to inhibition of NO production in the vessels, and CAPE has a protective effect on Cd-induced hypertension mediated cardiac impairment in the rats.

Bladder and bowel control in children with cerebral palsy: case-control study.

AIM: To determine the age of development of bladder and bowel control and the frequency of enuresis, encopresis, and urinary infections in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: The study included 45 children with cerebral palsy who regularly attended a rehabilitation center in Isparta, Turkey, and two groups of age- and sex-matched children, 37 siblings of the children with cerebral palsy and 37 healthy children. Demographic data and information on the age of development of total bladder and bowel control and presence of possible urinary symptoms in children were collected from their caregivers by use of a questionnaire. Frequency of enuresis and encopresis was estimated among the children aged > or =5 years. A mid-way urinary sample was obtained from 40, 22, and 21 children in the cerebral palsy, siblings, and healthy children, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age of nighttime bladder and bowel control development was 47 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 35-58) and 45 (36-55) months, respectively, for the children with cerebral palsy, 35 months (95% CI, 24-46) and 26 months (95% CI, 24-28), respectively, for their siblings, and 27 months (95% CI, 22-33) and 25 months (95% CI, 23-27) months, respectively, for the healthy children. Among the children aged > or =5 years, enuresis was present in 11 of 34 children with cerebral palsy, 7 of 30 siblings, and 4 of 30 healthy children (P = 0.200), whereas encopresis was present in 5 children with cerebral palsy, one sibling, and one healthy child. Constipation was significantly more present in chidlren with cerebral palsy than in other two groups (P<0.001). Urine culture was positive in 13 children with cerebral palsy, 1 sibling, and 2 healthy chidlren (P = 0.024). There were no significant differences in other urinary symptoms and laboratory findings among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The children with cerebral palsy gained bladder and bowel control at older age in comparison with their siblings and healthy children. They also had more frequent enuresis and urinary infections.

Comparison of Two Validated Voiding Questionnaires and Clinical Impression in Children With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: ICIQ-CLUTS Versus Akbal Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the correlation of 2 commonly used and validated voiding questionnaires (ICIQ-CLUTS and Akbal's) according to the physician's clinical impressions. Also, we investigated the reliability of these instruments in children with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Akbal's questionnaires and ICIQ-CLUTS forms were completed by children between 5 and 18 years old with and without LUTS and by their parents. The data were classified into 3 age groups (5-9, 10-13, 14-18). The reliability of Akbal and ICIQ-CLUTS was investigated by using Cronbach's α (≥0.7 is indicated acceptability). The total scores of the tools were compared with the physician's clinical impression (Kendall's tau b-test). RESULTS: A total of 154 children (LUTS: n = 88, controls: n = 66) were prospectively enrolled into the study. The reliability of both instruments was excellent (Cronbach's alpha scores; Akbal = 0.811, ICIQ-CLUTS children version: 0.728 and ICIQ-CLUTS parental version: 0.746). When we compared by Kendal tau, Akbal was better correlated with physician's clinical impression. In addition, the children version of ICIQ-CLUTS was better correlated than parental version. CONCLUSION: The results of our study provide that both tools are reliable and objective to grade the LUTS in pediatric population. Although both surveys were significantly correlated with clinical impression, the consistency of Akbal's questionnaire is found superior than that of ICIQ-CLUTS.

Renal tubular function and urinary N-acetyl-ß-d-glucosaminidase and kidney injury molecule-1 levels in asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways which results in chronic hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia and inflammation can affect renal tubular function. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate renal tubular function and early kidney injury molecules such as urinary N-acetyl-betaglucosaminidase (NAG) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) excretion in children with asthma. METHODS: Enrolled in the study were 73 children diagnosed with asthma and 65 healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects. Urine pH, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, microalbumin, creatinine, NAG, KIM-1, and serum creatinine, sodium, phosphorus were evaluated. The diagnosis of asthma and classification of mild or moderate were done according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. RESULTS: Serum sodium, phosphorus, creatinine, and urinary microalbumin were within normal levels in the both groups. Urinary pH, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, microalbumin, and KIM-1 excretions were similar between the control and study groups. Tubular phosphorus reabsorption was within normal limits in two groups. Urine NAG was elevated in the study group (P = 0.001). Urinary KIM-1 and NAG levels were positively correlated (r = 0.837; P = 0.001). When children with mild and moderate asthma were compared, all of the parameters were similar (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that chronic asthma can lead to subtle renal impacts. We suggest that in children with asthma, urinary NAG level is a more valuable parameter to show degree of renal tubular injury than markers such as microalbumin and KIM-1. Chronic hypoxy and inflammation probably contributes to these subclinical renal effects.

In vivo evidences suggesting the role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity: protection by erdosteine.

The aims of this study were to examine vancomycin (VCM)-induced oxidative stress that promotes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to investigate the role of erdosteine, an expectorant agent, which has also antioxidant properties, on kidney tissue against the possible VCM-induced renal impairment in rats. Rats were divided into three groups: sham, VCM and VCM plus erdosteine. VCM was administrated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 200mgkg(-1) twice daily for 7 days. Erdosteine was administered orally. VCM administration to control rats significantly increased renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and urinary N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG, a marker of renal tubular injury) excretion but decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Erdosteine administration with VCM injections caused significantly decreased renal MDA and urinary NAG excretion, and increased SOD activity, but not CAT activity in renal tissue when compared with VCM alone. Erdosteine showed histopathological protection against VCM-induced nephrotoxicity. There were a significant dilatation of tubular lumens, extensive epithelial cell vacuolization, atrophy, desquamation, and necrosis in VCM-treated rats more than those of the control and the erdosteine groups. Erdosteine caused a marked reduction in the extent of tubular damage. It is concluded that oxidative tubular damage plays an important role in the VCM-induced nephrotoxicity and the modulation of oxidative stress with erdosteine reduces the VCM-induced kidney damage both at the biochemical and histological levels.

Oxidative damage in the kidney induced by 900-MHz-emitted mobile phone: protection by melatonin.

BACKGROUND: The mobile phones emitting 900-MHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR) may be mainly absorbed by kidneys because they are often carried in belts. Melatonin, the chief secretory product of the pineal gland, was recently found to be a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant. The aim of this study was to examine 900-MHz mobile phone-induced oxidative stress that promotes production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on renal tubular damage and the role of melatonin on kidney tissue against possible oxidative damage in rats. METHODS: The animals were randomly grouped as follows: 1) sham-operated control group and 2) study groups: i) 900-MHz EMR exposed (30 min/day for 10 days) group and ii) 900-MHz EMR exposed+melatonin (100 microg kg(-1) s.c. before the daily EMR exposure) treated group. Malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation), and urine N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), a marker of renal tubular damage were used as markers of oxidative stress-induced renal impairment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were studied to evaluate the changes of antioxidant status. RESULTS: In the EMR-exposed group, while tissue MDA and urine NAG levels increased, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities were reduced. Melatonin treatment reversed these effects as well. In this study, the increase in MDA levels of renal tissue and in urine NAG and also the decrease in renal SOD, CAT, GSH-Px activities demonstrated the role of oxidative mechanism induced by 900-MHz mobile phone exposure, and melatonin, via its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, ameliorated oxidative tissue injury in rat kidney. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that melatonin may exhibit a protective effect on mobile phone-induced renal impairment in rats.