Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of a subcutaneous injection of sesame oil against iron-induced acute renal injury in mice

Background: Iron intoxication causes acute nephrotoxicity in animals and humans. Sesame oil, a healthful food, increases resistance to lipid peroxidation and protects against multiple organ injury in various animal models. The authors examined the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of a subcutaneous injection of sesame oil against iron-induced acute renal injury in mice. Methods: Iron intoxication in mice was induced with an intraperitoneal injection (2 mg/kg) of ferric-nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA). Various doses of sesame oil (0, 1, 2, and 4 mL/kg, subcutaneously) were given immediately after (prophylactic) or 30 minutes after (therapeutic) the Fe-NTA injection. Renal injury was assessed by the rise in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CRE) levels 3 hours after the Fe-NTA injection. Results: One hour after the Fe-NTA injection, serum BUN and CRE levels were significantly higher in Fe-NTA-treated mice than in saline-treated controls; 3 and 6 hours after the Fe-NTA injection, they were dose-dependently and significantly lower in all sesame oil-treated groups than in the group treated only with Fe-NTA and saline. Conclusion: A subcutaneous injection of sesame oil had both prophylactic and therapeutic effects against iron-induced acute renal injury in mice.