EFFECT OF COLCHICINE ON CHRONIC CYCLOSPORINE NEPHROTOXICITY IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were given ciclosporin (Cs) orally, 15 mg/kg daily for 80 days. Fifteen served as positive controls, while t he other 15 were given daily colchicine at a dose of 30 mu g/kg in add ition to Cs. Additional 15 rats were given olive oil only and served a s negative controls. The animals were subjected every other week to la boratory assessment of serum creatinine, sodium, potassium, and Cs who le-blood trough levels; also urine samples were examined for creatinin e, sodium, potassium, and protein concentrations. At the end point, th e animals were sacrificed, and kidney tissue was examined for histopat hological changes. Comparing negative control versus Cs-treated and Cs -plus-colchicine-treated rats, there were no significant differences i n serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and serum and urine values o f sodium and potassium as well as urinary protein/creatinine ratios. Y et histopathological examination of kidney tissues showed focal tubula r atrophy and interstitial fibrosis in inner medulla and inner stripe of the outer medulla in all Cs-treated animals and in only 1 of the co lchicine-treated group, but in none of the negative controls. Histolog ical changes in other kidney zones in different animal groups were min or and not different. From this study, we may conclude that colchicine is of protective value against chronic Cs nephrotoxicity in Sprague-D awley rats.