Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Protects Kidneys against Acetylsalicylic Acid Toxicity in Rats

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced renal damage in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into five groups, with eight rats in each group-group 1: control, not receiving any medication; group 2: ASA (50 mg/kg/day); group 3: ASA (50 mg/kg/day) + CAPE (20 μg/kg/day); group 4: ASA (100 mg/kg/day); and group 5: ASA (100 mg/kg/day) + CAPE (20 μg/kg/day). ASA and CAPE were given via orogastric gavage for 5 days. The total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity of the blood samples and kidney tissues were determined. Histopathological examinations of the kidneys were performed using light microscopic methods. RESULTS: The TOS level in the serum of rats and kidney tissues given ASA (groups 2 and 4) significantly increased, but the levels of TAC and PON-1 in these tissues significantly decreased in group 4 when compared with the control rats (p < 0.05). The levels of TAC and PON-1 in the kidney tissues increased and the levels of TOS decreased in the CAPE treatment groups (groups 3 and 5) when compared with the rats in the no CAPE treatment groups (groups 2 and 4). The PON-1, TAC, and TOS values reverted to normal levels in group 5 when compared to group 4 (p < 0.05). These results were supported by histopathological observation. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress plays an important role in ASA-induced nephrotoxicity, and CAPE may protect against ASA-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.