Ameliorative effect of virgin olive oil against nephrotoxicity following sub-chronic administration of ethephon in male rats

BACKGROUND: Ethephon (EP) is the most famous plant growth regulator with different adverse effects on kidney function. Virgin Olive Oil (VOO) is considered as a natural source of antioxidant with beneficial effects. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of VOO on nephrotoxicity induced by EP in rats. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this study, 80 male rats (weighing 200–250 g) were divided into four groups including I: control group received normal saline as vehicle, II: received VOO, III: received EP (150 mg/kg/day) for 2 months, IV: received EP (150 mg/kg/day for 2 months, after 2-month pretreatment with VOO. VOO (2 mL/kg/day) and vehicle were administered by gastric gavage for 2 months. At the end, the animals were sacrificed, and their blood and kidneys were used for examinations. Isolated kidneys were used for histopathological and oxidative stress studies. RESULTS: Significant increases were recorded in blood (neutrophils, monocytes) and urinary parameters as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the group III compared to groups II and I (P˂0.05). Antioxidant enzymes significantly declined and histopathological alterations increased in the group III. In the group IV, significant decreases were recorded in blood and urinary parameters, MDA, and histopathological alterations and a significant increase were found in antioxidant enzymes compared to group III (P˂0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the present study demonstrated protective effects of VOO in prevention of kidneys against EP -induced toxicity in albino rats.