Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is accompanied by renal fibrosis (RF). Although vinpocetine (Vinpo) has some kidney beneficial properties and is used to treat cerebrovascular deficiencies, it is unclear what function vinpocetine has in renal fibrosis. Therefore, the current study aimed to detect the histological and immunohistochemical changes induced by adenine and to investigate the possible regenerating effect of vinpo (vinpocetine).
Materials and Methods: Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 6 each). Group I the controls was given saline; group II received i.p. adenine (300 mg/kg twice weekly) for induction of the CKD model; and group III was orally given Vinpo (20 mg/kg/day) concurrently with adenine. All treatments were given for 4 weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in kidney tissues was measured. Light microscope examination using H&E, Mallory trichrome and immunohistochemical stains for vimentin and B-catenin. Also, morphometric and statistical analyses were done.
Results: Adenine group showed congested glomerular capillaries. Most of the ducts were dilated with flattened desquamated epithelium and intraluminal casts. Immunohistochemically, vimentin and B-catenin revealed strong positive cytoplasmic reaction in the tubular and glomerular cells While, Vinpo treated rats exhibited a considerable degree of preservation of the kidney architecture. Vimentin and B-catenin immune-expression were also improved. In conclusion: Vinpo has proved a remarkable effect in ameliorating inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the rats' kidney of adenine group.