The effect of acute experimental nephrotoxicity on the progression of metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities in a rat model of saturated free fatty acid-induced metabolic syndrome

Background. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of biomedical disorders characterized by glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Objectives. The study evaluates the impact of acute experimental gentamin-induced nephrotoxicity on the metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in a rat model of metabolic syndrome induced by saturated free fatty acids (SAFFAs). Material and Methods. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 gm were divided into four groups. The control group was fed with standard rodent chow for 8 weeks; Group H was fed an experimental ad libitum high-fat for the same period; Group HG was fed the same diet as Group H, and was injected intraperitoneally with 80 mg/kg/day of gentamicin during the last 24 days of the feeding period; Group G was fed standard rodent chow and injected with gentamicin as described above. Oral-glucose-tolerance-tests (OGTT) and lipid profiles were performed to assess metabolic function. Serum creatinine and absolute excretion of sodium were measured to assess renal function. At the end, the rats underwent a surgical procedure to measure arterial pressure and arterial stiffness. Results. Glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and higher stiffness were observed in Group H. In Group HG, co-administration of gentamicin along with the high-fat diet deteriorated glucose tolerance without having a high impact on the lipid profile. Arterial pressure was reduced while the stiffness remained comparable to that of group H. Greater nephrotoxicity was observed in renal failure rats fed with the high-fat diet. Conclusions. Gentamicin did not have a strong impact on the progression of SAFFA-induced metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities. However, the high-fat diet along with gentamicin worsened nephrotoxicity.