Suppression of renal inflammation with vitamins A and E in ascending pyelonephritis in rats

Purpose: We evaluated the effects of vitamin A and E supplementation alone or in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on th e development of inflammation in an animal model of ascending pyelonephriti s. Materials and Methods: Ascending pyelonephritis was induced in adult rats b y surgical bladder inoculation with P-pili-forming Escherichia coli. Treatm ent of pyelonephritic rats was initiated at 72 hours post-infection. Treatm ent groups included no treatment, or a five day regimen of antibiotic only, antibiotic plus vitamins A and E, or antibiotic, vitamins and either of tw o NSAIDs. Kidneys were harvested at six weeks post-infection and assessed f or histopathologic inflammation. Results: Antibiotic treatment of pyelonephritic rats with vitamins A and E alone or in combination with NSAIDs resulted in significantly less kidney i nflammation, as compared with untreated rats or rats treated with antibioti c alone. There was no significant difference in inflammation between animal s treated with vitamins alone or vitamins plus NSAIDs. Conclusions: Antibiotic therapy and diet supplementation with vitamins A an d E can significantly reduce the inflammation associated with ascending pye lonephritis, suggesting a potential use in the medical management of reflux nephropathy in children.