Effect of tocotrienols on iron-induced renal dysfunction and oxidative stress in rats

Abstract

Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) is a well-established nephrotoxic agent. This study was designed to investigate the modulatory effect of the subacute administration of tocotrienol-rich fraction (T3), a product from palm oil, and α-tocopherol (T) on Fe-NTA-induced renal injury and oxidative stress. Fe-NTA administration markedly increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine level, which was coupled with a marked lipid peroxidation, reduced activity of glutathione levels, and morphological alterations in rat kidney. Pretreatment with T3 (50 mg/kg/day) and T (50 mg/kg/day) for 7 days before Fe-NTA administration significantly reduced the serum creatinine and BUN levels, reduced lipid peroxidation in a significant manner, and restored levels of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase. T3 pretreatment also attenuated the serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, as compared to pretreatment with T, and restored normal renal morphology. These findings suggest a strong correlation between iron-induced oxidative stress and renal dysfunction and point toward the protective effects of T3 in Fe-NTA-induced renal injury.

Keywords::

• Tocotrienol (T3)
• a-tocopherol (T)
• renal injury
• oxidative stress
• tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. Kalanithi Nesaretnam PhD from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) (Selangor, Malaysia) for providing us with the gift sample of Palm Tocotrienols.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.