Objective: Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle fibers break down, releasing myoglobin and creatine kinase into the circulation, which can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phytochemical that exerts inflammation-modulating and antioxidant properties. This research investigated the role of RA against AKI caused by rhabdomyolysis in rats.
Materials and methods: Six groups of male Wistar rats (n=6) were selected for the study: The control group received normal saline. Group 2 was given 50% glycerol (10 ml/kg, intramuscularly). Groups 3, 4, and 5 received different doses of RA (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, for 4 days) with glycerol (given only on the first day), while group 6 received only RA (25 mg/kg). On day 5, serum and kidney tissues were isolated. Levels of serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and lipocalin associated with neutrophil gelatinase (NGAL), and pathological alteration were evaluated.
Results: Glycerol injection induced pathological lesions and increased markers of kidney damage, such as Cr, BUN, MDA,
IL-1β, and NGAL, and decreased GSH content. Administration of RA (25 mg/kg) reduced these indicators, suggesting a renoprotective role in rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI. Histopathological analysis showed increased tubular necrosis and myoglobin cast formation in the glycerol-treated group, which were diminished in the RA-treated animals. However, the decline was not statistical significant.
Conclusion: This study suggests that RA administration decreased renal disturbance in the glycerol-triggered AKI rat model through the reduction of oxidative damage and inflammatory responses.