Protective effects of sodium ferlate and verapamil on gentamicin nephrotoxicity

AIM To investigate the effect of sodium ferulate (SF), a Chinese medicinal herb, and verapamil (Ver) on gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity in renal tubular cells. METHODS Alanine aminopeptidase (ALT), Catalase (Cat), Nacetylβglucosaminindase (NAG) activity, and DNA synthesis, sytosolic free calcium concentration, and morphological alterations were observed in gentamicininduced damage to cultured primary renal proximal tubular cells. The protection of SF and Ver to damages was observed too. RESULTS In GM group, ALT and Cat activity decreased, NAG activity increased. In addition, DNA synthesis decreased and cytosolic free calacium concentration increased. Electronmicroscope observation revealed an extensive vacuolization in proximal tubular cells and formation of myeloid bodies in lysosome. Simultaneous administration of SF with GM could markedly improve the values of parameters mentioned above and the histological damages, but Ver only could protect ALT activity and reduce cytosolic free calcium concentration. CONCLUSION SF can protect renal proximal tubular cell from GM nephrotoxicity.