Resveratrol Attenuates Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice: A Histological Study

Background Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It can cause nephrotoxicity in patients with APL, possibly through oxidative stress. Resveratrol (Res), a phytoalexin, has proven antioxidant properties. We investigated the effect of Res on ATO-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male Swiss albino mice ( Mus musculus ). Materials and Methods The mice (N = 40) were treated by gavage for 45 days as follows: control (Group I), 5% gum acacia (vehicle, Group II), 2 mg/Kg body weight ATO (Group III), 40 mg/Kg body weight Res (Group IV), ATO followed by Res 1 h later (Group V). Subsequently, the mice were sacrificed, and their kidneys were histologically examined on Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stained sections for interstitial edema, inflammation, acute tubular injury (ATI), and total cortical injury (TCI). Pathological scoring was done after blinding using a standard scoring protocol. Results Group III mice showed significantly higher ATI and TCI scores as compared to Group V mice ( p = 0.017 and 0.028, respectively). There was no significant difference in interstitial inflammation scores among the groups. However, interstitial edema scores were significantly higher in Group-III when compared with Group-II and Group-IV ( p = 0.025 and 0.016). Conclusion Sequentially administered Res reduced ATO-induced nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by preservation of renal histology.