Therapeutic Effect of Chitosan-Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Gentamicin in Wistar Rats

Background: Gentamicin (GM) is an antibiotic frequently used to treat severe gramnegative infections. However, due to nephrotoxicity, its clinical application is restricted. Several lines of evidence indicate that free radicals are important mediators of gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine the potential antioxidant therapeutic value of ZnO-chitosan nanoparticles on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups (6 rats/group). All groups except group 1 were injected with gentamicin (100 mg/kg body weight i.p.) for eight days. On day 9, rats of groups 1 and 2 were administrated distilled water, and those of groups 3 and 4 were administrated 1/10 and 1/20 LD50 of ZnO-CS-NPs continuously for 30 days. Results: Treatment with ZnO-CS NPs caused a significant decrease in urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride, microalbumin, and malondialdehyde levels; this was accompanied by a significant increase in kidney glutathione reduced, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase. Conclusion: The findings of the current study revealed that ZnO-CS NP ameliorated kidney injury against gentamicin induced-acute kidney injury in rats by its antioxidant properties.