"Evaluation of the Protective Role of Ascorbic Acid Against Creatine-Induced Renal Histological Alterations in Male Rabbits"
Keywords:
Creatine monohydrate, Ascorbic acid, Renal function, TBARS, Histopathology, Male rabbitsAbstract
The widespread use of creatine monohydrate as an ergogenic supplement has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on renal structure and function. This study aimed to evaluate the nephrotoxic effects of creatine supplementation in male rabbits and to investigate the possible protective role of ascorbic acid. Twenty adult male rabbits were randomly allocated into four groups (n=5): control, ascorbic acid-treated, creatine-treated, and a combination of creatine and ascorbic acid. Plasma creatinine and urea levels were measured as indicators of renal function, kidney TBARS levels were assessed to evaluate oxidative stress, and histopathological examination was performed using H&E staining. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. Creatinine levels were significantly reduced in the ascorbic acid group (0.58 ± 0.020 g/dl) compared with control (1.00 ± 0.074 g/dl), while the creatine group (0.86 ± 0.035 g/dl) showed no significant difference from control. The combination group demonstrated intermediate values (0.72 ± 0.045 g/dl). Urea levels ranged from 36.10 ± 1.586 to 41.78 ± 0.748 mg/dl, with the lowest value observed in the ascorbic acid group. Kidney weight was significantly higher in the ascorbic acid group (17.580 ± 2.768 g) and significantly lower in the creatine (10.946 ± 0.652 g) and combination groups (10.652 ± 0.500 g) compared to control. TBARS levels showed no statistically significant differences among groups, although a numerical decrease was noted in the combination group (4.4 ± 0.45 nmol/g tissue) compared to control (6.00 ± 0.507 nmol/g tissue). Histopathological examination revealed normal renal architecture in both the control and ascorbic acid groups. In contrast, the creatine-treated group exhibited marked structural alterations, including damaged renal corpuscles and detachment of proximal tubular epithelial cells from their basement membranes. The combined treatment group showed persistent structural damage similar to the creatine group, indicating no observable histological protection. In conclusion, creatine supplementation induced notable renal structural alterations without marked changes in biochemical oxidative stress markers. Ascorbic acid alone improved certain renal biochemical parameters but did not demonstrate a clear protective effect against creatine-induced histopathological damage under the conditions of this study.
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