ABSTRACT
Introduction: Taxol is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used in the treatment of various types of cancer. Nephrotoxicity is the
most hazardous effect complicating chemotherapy.
Aim of the work: This research aimed to evaluate the effect of gold nanoparticles on taxol induced nephrotoxicity.
Materials and Methods: Thirty adult Wistar male albino rats were divided into three equal groups: the control group
(group I) this group was equally subdivided into two subgroups. Taxol-treated group (group II) and gold nanoparticles (GNP)-
treated group (group III). Rats in group II received 0.6 mg/ kg body weight Taxol intraperitoneally as a single dose. Animals
of group III received Taxol as Group II and after 48 hours, GNPs (400 μg/kg body weight) was administered intravenously
via the tail vein daily for 14 days. Kidney function tests were studied. kidney sections were stained with Hematoxylin and
Eosin (H&E), Mallory trichrome stain, periodic acid schiff (PAS) reaction and immunohistochemical analysis for inducible
nitric oxide synthase (iNOs).
Results: Taxol-treated group showed congested glomerular capillaries, cellular infiltration, extravasation and vacuolated
tubular cells. Fibrosis in the interstitium was noticed by Mallory trichrome. PAS stained sections showed weak reaction at the
brush border of tubular cells. Strong positive reaction for iNOs in the cytoplasm of tubular cells was also noticed. All these
changes were improved in GNP-treated group.
Conclusion: From the present study, the gold nanoparticles application is promising in the treatment of taxol nephrotoxicity.