Prevention of hepatic and renal toxicity with bradykinin potentiating factor (BPF) isolated from Egyptian scorpion venom (Buthus occitanus) in gentamicin treated rats

The present investigation report the effect of a bradykinin-potentiating factor (BPF) on gentamicin-induced oxidative stress in rat liver and kidney. BPF is a peptide fraction isolated from the venom of the Egyptian scorpion (Buthus occitanus) has been demonstrated to have antioxidant, free radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory effects. Thirty male Rattus norvegicus (130–150 g) were included and divided into three equal groups as follows: Group I (control), group II was (ip) injected with gentamicin alone (80 mg/kg/day) for 15 days, group III was given (ip) injection of BPF (1 mg/kg/day) one hour prior to gentamicin treatment for 15 days with the same dose of gentamicin as group II. Both organs were subjected to histopathological analysis with the light microscope. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), asparate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were measured as indicators of the liver function. As parameters of the kidney function, creatinine, uric acid and urea concentrations were determined. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined in both tissues. Gentamicin caused a significant decrease or inhibition in the activities of GSH, SOD, and CAT, with significant increase in the level of MDA, ALT, AST, ALP, as well as creatinine, uric acid and urea concentrations in versus to control groups in both liver and kidney. Co-administration of gentamicin and BPF significantly increased the activity of GSH, SOD, and CAT, with significant decrease in the level of MDA and maintained serum (ALT); (AST); (ALP), creatinine, uric acid and urea concentrations as the same level as control group. Moreover, administration of gentamicin resulted in damage to liver and kidney structures. Administration of BPF before gentamicin exposure prevented severe alterations of biochemical parameters and disruptions of liver and kidney structures. In conclusion, this study obviously demonstrated that pretreatment with BPF significantly attenuated the physiological and histopathological alterations induced by gentamicin. Also, the present study identifies new areas of research for development of better therapeutic agents for liver, kidney, and other organs dysfunctions and diseases.