Protective effects of simvastatin, Nigella sativa oil and thmoquinone against dimethylnitrosamine-induced oxidative stress in rat kidney.

Background: Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) is a potent member of nitrosamine family, which has toxic and carcinogenic potential. Several beneficial effects of statins have been described in patients with chronic kidney disease and in experimental models. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of Simvastatin (SMN), Nigella Sativa Oil (NSO) and Thymoquinone (TQ) on DMN-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: The animals were divided into five groups as: DMN Group, DMN+NSO Group, DMN+TQ Group and Control Group. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), Lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, and Total Thiol concentrations were measured. Results: There was a remarkable difference between groups in terms of TAS, OSI, Total Thiol and LOOH concentrations (p values were <0,001; 0,014; <0,001 and 0,003 respectively) and was no remarkable difference between groups in terms of TOS (p=0,575). LOOH was significantly lower in DMN+NSO group than in DMN Group (p=0,046). None of the parameters were found significantly different between DMN Group and DMN+TQ Group. TAS and total thiol concentrations were significantly higher while OSI and LOOH were found significantly lower in DMN+SMN group than in DMN Group. Conclusions: SMN prevented the kidney damage via its antioxidant effect whereas NSO had partial effect. But TQ did not have a remarkable protective effect