The present study aimed to explore the protective effects of L-carnitine on the oxidative stress induced by Bisphenol A (BPA) in rat kidneys. Forty male adult rats were allocated into four groups (10 rats each); placebo, BPA (50 mg/kg bwt per os), L-carnitine (500 mg/kg bwt i.p), and the BPA/L-carnitine-treated group. After 70 days, blood and kidneys were collected for measurement of renal function, oxidative/antioxidative status, histopathological analyses, and gene expression of nrf2. BPA significantly increased serum urea and carnitine levels suggesting renal damage evidenced by hydropic degenerative changes and hydronephrosis. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in kidney was elevated along with decline in renal total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations following challenged with BPA. Notably, the expression of nrf2 mRNA transcript in kidney tissues was down-regulated after BPA-induced toxicity. L-carnitine treatment ameliorates the damaged effects of BPA on kidneys as indicated by low levels of serum urea and carnitine, and renal MDA. Further, L-carnitine enhances the antioxidants (TAC, and GSH), with up-regulation of nrf2 expression in kidney tissues. Our results suggest the renoprotective activity of L-carnitine in BPA-induced kidney injuries through induction of antioxidant system and modulation of oxidative stress
Key words: Bisphenol A, L-carnitine, Malondialdehyde, Hydronephrosis, Glutathione
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