Assessment of the Effect of Glucocorticoid Injections on the Expression of Apoptotic Active CASP3 and ALDH1A1 Renal Cell Markers in New Zealand Rabbits

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a suspected renal insult which developed from different causes, one of these causes is the administration of high doses of glucocorticoids for long period of time as dexamethasone, which has a wide variety uses in different types of illnesses, inflammatory or immunological problems.
Aim:
To examine the effect of different doses of dexamethasone in producing immunohistochemical changes on renal tissues in a different period of administration using cellular markers (Active CASP 3 and ALDH1A1) in rabbits.

METHODS: Eight groups of white New Zealand female rabbits were used, seven animals in each group. The first and second (G1 and G2) groups served as control groups. G3 and G4 groups are treated groups injected with (0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone respectively) for 10 days. G5 and G6 were also treated groups where they treated with (0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone respectively) for 15 days. G7 and G8 considered as follow up groups for G4 and G6 groups where they left without treatment for another 10 days for both groups. The renal tissue examined in all groups histologically by using H & E stain, and immunohistochemistry by Active CASP3 and ALDH1A1 markers.
RESULTS: Moderate expression of Active CASP 3 in most of treated and follow up groups with strong expression of ALDH1A1 in most of treated and follow up groups in comparison to control groups (G1 and G2) which was statistically significant.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone produces a pseudo acute kidney injury healed after discontinuation of drug.