Effect of vitamin E and pentoxifylline on glycerol-induced acute renal failure

The pathogenesis of acute renal failure may involve, among other causes, is chemia, vascular congestion, arachidonic acid pathways, and reactive oxygen metabolites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of pentoxify lline and vitamin E on the prevention of experimental acute renal failure i nduced by glycerol. Eighty-five Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 170-230 g were included in the study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: gr oup 1 was given 1 ml saline; group 2, glycerol; group 3, glycerol plus vita min E, and group 4, glycerol plus pentoxifylline. Extent of histological re nal tubular necrosis and regeneration in each animal were graded, Blood ure a nitrogen, serum creatinine, and creatine kinase concentrations were measu red. Mean blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentrations and tubul ar injury scores were significantly lower in group 1 than in groups 2-4 (p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences among groups 2-4, We co nclude that postinsult administration of vitamin E and pentoxifylline does not have a beneficial effect on prevention and severity of acute renal fail ure and that controlled, multicenter studies involving a large number of pa tients are needed to clarify this subject. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.