BOLDINE TREATMENT PREVENTS KIDNEY DAMAGE IN RATS WITH 5/6 NEPHRECTOMY 1,2

Chronic renal failure ( CRF) results in the progressive loss of kidney function toward a terminal stage. It is manifested by the advancing decrease in glomerular filtration, due to morphological alterations such as tubular necrosis and glomerular sclerosis. Moreover, oxidative st ress increases in patients with CRF. Therefore, the use of natural products, such as the antioxidant boldine, has been observed to be a promising focus of research . We propose that boldine trea tment prevents kidney damage in 5/6 nephrectomized (5/6NX) rats . Rats (n=5/g roup) were treated with boldine (50mg/kg/day, gavage ) for 28 days after 5/6NX ; kidney function was evaluated measuring urinary protein/ creatinine ratio (Uprot/Ucrea) ; and oxidative stress measuring thiobarbituric a cid reactive substances (TBARS). E D - 1( marker of inflammation ) , Col III ( marker of kidney damage ) and Vimentin( recovery marker ) were evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Uprot/Ucrea ratio (4.53±1.29AU in 5/6NX +Boldine; 13.30±4.14AU in 5/6NX ) and TBARS (39.52±3.73nmol/g in 5/6NX + Boldine; 62.42 ±1.05nmol/g in 5/6NX) were lower in 5/6NX+boldine rats than in 5/6NX rats p<0.05. In 5/6NX +boldine rats , levels of ED - 1 and Col III were lower compared to 5/6NX rats. Vimentin(mesenchymal marker) was increased in 5/6NX+boldine rats , compared with 5/6NX rats . These results suggest that boldine protects the kidney in rats with 5/6NX and that boldine could potentially be used as a nutraceutic.