Protective effect of resveratrol against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced impairment of renal p-aminohippurate transport

In the present study, the effects of resveratrol on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced p-aminohippurate (PAH) transport impairment were investigated in vitro using rat renal cortical slices. Cisplatin and cephaloridine (CPH), known nephrotoxins, were used as positive controls. In one series of experiments, renal cortical slices were incubated in a cisplatin-containing medium or a cisplatin-free medium. In another series of experiments, renal cortical slices were incubated in a CPH-containing medium, in a CPH- and probenecid-containing medium, or in a CPH-free medium. Subsequently, for each series of experiments kidney slices were incubated in a media containing PAH or tetraethylammonium. In a further series of experiments, renal cortical slices were incubated in a 6-OHDA-containing medium and in a 6-OHDA-free medium. In another series of experiments, renal cortical slices were incubated in a medium containing 50 muM 6-OHDA, in a 6-OHDA- and resveratrol-containing medium or in a 6-OHDA- and resveratrol-free medium. Subsequently, for each series of experiments kidney slices were incubated in media containing PAH. The results of this study in which slices were incubated in 6-OHDA-containing media indicate that 6-OHDA induced a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in PAH accumulation by renal cortical slices. Resveratrol inhibited the 6-OHDA-induced time-dependent decrease of PAH accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, 6-OHDA causes functional injuries of renal proximal tubule cell membrane, thus leading to impairment of transport processes across the cell membrane and to nephrotoxicity. Resveratrol has a nephroprotective effect.