Stevioside protects against rhabdomyolysis‐induced acute kidney injury through PPAR‐γ agonism in rats

Abstract We explored the potential role of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) in stevioside‐mediated renoprotection using rhabdomyolysis‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) model in rats. Rhabdomyolysis refers to intense skeletal muscle damage, which further causes AKI. Glycerol (50% w/v, 8 ml/kg) was injected intramuscularly in rats to induce rhabdomyolysis. After 24 hr, AKI was demonstrated by quantifying serum creatinine, urea, creatinine clearance, microproteinuria, and electrolytes in rats. Further, oxidative stress was measured by assaying thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, generation of superoxide anion, and reduced glutathione levels. Additionally, serum creatine kinase (CK) level was assayed to determine glycerol‐induced muscle damage in rats. Pathological changes in rat kidneys were studied using hematoxylin–eosin and periodic acid Schiff staining. Moreover, the expression of apoptotic markers (Bcl‐2, Bax) in rat kidneys was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Stevioside (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) was administered to rats, prior to the induction of AKI. In a separate group, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE, 30 mg/kg), a PPAR‐γ receptor antagonist was given prior to stevioside administration, which was followed by rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI in rats. The significant alteration in biochemical and histological parameters in rats indicated AKI, which was attenuated by stevioside treatment. Pretreatment with BADGE abrogated stevioside‐mediated renoprotection, which is suggestive of the involvement of PPAR‐γ in its renoprotective effect. In conclusion, stevioside protects against rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI, which may be attributed to modulation of PPAR‐γ expression.