Sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) ameliorates alterations caused by cisplatin in filtration slit diaphragm and podocyte cytoskeletal in rat kidney

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been shown to have a protective role in various kidney disorders. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the molecular mechanism of NaHS (a H2S donor) in treating on the renal damage induced by cisplatin (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Normal control group (group A)‚ NaHS group (group B) which received 200 µg/kg/d (intraperitoneal injection; i.p.) for 15 days‚ CP group (group C) which rats were injected with CP (5 mg/kg, single dose, i.p.), and CP + NaHS group (group D) (5 mg/kg and 200 µg/kg, respectively, i.p.). Samples of urine and serum, tissue of kidney were collected for analysis after treatments for 15 days. Morphological changes were elevated under light microscope‚ protein expression of desmin and nephrin were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting and also malondialdehyde (MDA) level was determined by spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Compared to the CP group, NaHS treatment mitigated histological damages, decreased 24-hour urine protein excretion, serum urea and creatinine as well as MDA level. NaHS treatment increased protein levels of nephrin. Moreover, NaHS treatment decreased protein levels of desmin. CONCLUSIONS: NaHS can ameliorate CP -induced renal damage in rats which is associated with the increase in nephrin protein expression, and the decrease in MDA level and desmin protein expression.