Protective Effects of Alcoholic and Aqueous Extracts of Lyophilized Kiwifruit on Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Induced by Glycerol in Male Albino Rat

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate and compare the protective effects of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of lyophilized kiwifruit on acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by glycerol in male albino rats. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: negative control healthy group, acute kidney injury group (administered glycerol), AKI rats treated with ethanolic kiwifruit extract group, and AKI rats treated with aqueous kiwifruit extract group. Kidney biomarkers, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were measured and histological examination was performed. Results: We observed that glycerol induced acute renal injury and as a result there was an increase in the levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, Na+, K+, Cl-, uric acid, cystatin-C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and malondialdehyde as well as a decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase compared to that in the negative control group. Ethanolic and aqueous kiwifruit extracts improved all the kidney biomarkers in AKI rats. Histological examination showed acute tubular necrosis in the AKI group.  However, there was an improvement in the renal tissue, represented by epithelial cell regeneration, in rats that were administered both the extracts. Conclusion: Kiwifruit extracts have a positive effect on serum biochemical parameters and renal tissue, which can be beneficial in the treatment of AKI. The treatment with the ethanolic extract is more potent than with the aqueous extract.