Pomegranate extract attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal damage by reducing oxidative stress

AIMS: Ureteral obstruction may cause permanent kidney damage at late period. We know that the pomegranate extract (PE) play a strong role on removal of free oxygen radicals and prevention of oxidative stress. In the current study study, we evaluated the effect of PE on kidney damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 32 rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was a control, Group 2 was a sham, Group 3 was rats with UUO and Group 4 was rats with UUO that were given PE (oral 100 μL/day). After 14 days, rats were killed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration, and interstitial fibrosis scoring were determined histopathologically in a part of kidneys; nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the other part of kidneys. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analyses were performed by the Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: There was no difference significantly for urea-creatinine levels between groups. Pathologically, there was serious tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis in Group 3, and there was significantly decreasing for tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis in Group 4 (P < 0.005). Furthermore, there was significantly increasing for NO and MDA levels; decreasing for GSH levels in Group 3 compared the other groups (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We think that the PE prevents kidney damage by decreasing oxidative stress in kidney.