The Effects of Remdesivir and Dexamethasone on Renal Sirtuin-1 Expression and Renal Function in Male Rats

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology 2024-02, Vol.196 (2), p.632-642
• Main Authors: Danaiyan, Sepideh, Abbasi, Mehran Mesgari, Raeisi, Sina, Argani, Hassan, Ghorbanihaghjo, Amir, Shanehbandi, Dariush, Roshangar, Leila, Poursistany, Haniyeh, Abedi, Sara, Mohammadian, Jamal, Bahremani, Mona, Rashtchizadeh, Nadereh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Creatinine; Dexamethasone; Kidneys; Males; Original; Original Article; Renal function; SIRT1 protein; Structure-function relationships; Urea; Viral diseases
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291
• DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04529-3

Remdesivir (REM) and dexamethasone (DEX) both have been used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of REM and DEX on kidney structure and function with particular focus on the probable renal sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) expression alteration in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, as follows: group A (control) received normal saline (5 mL/kg/day for 10 days); group B (REM) received REM (17 mg/kg/day on the first day, and 8.5 mg/kg/day on the 2nd–10th days); group C (REM + DEX) received both REM (17 mg/kg/day on the first day, and 8.5 mg/kg/day on the 2nd–10th days) and DEX (7 mg/kg/day, for 10 days); group D (DEX) received DEX (7 mg/kg/day for 10 days). Renal SIRT1 expression and kidney structure and function-related factors were evaluated by standard methods. The mean levels of urea in the REM + DEX group (60.83 ± 6.77, mg/dL) were significantly higher than in the control (48.33 ± 3.01, mg/dL; p  = 0.002) and DEX (51.22 ± 4.99, mg/dL; p  = 0.018) groups. The mean levels of creatinine in the REM (0.48 ± 0.08, mg/dL) and REM + DEX (0.50 ± 0.04, mg/dL) groups were higher than in the control group (48.33 ± 3.0 mg/dL) significantly ( p  = 0.022 and p  = 0.010, respectively). The renal SIRT1 expression was significantly ( p  = 0.018) lower in the REM + DEX group (0.36 ± 0.35) than in the control group (1.34 ± 0.48). Tubulointerstitial damage (TID) scores in REM + DEX-treated rats (2.60 ± 0.24) were significantly higher than in the control (0.17 ± 0.17, p  = 0.001) and DEX (0.50 ± 0.29, p  = 0.005) groups. The administration of DEX and REM might lead to kidney injury associated with SIRT1 downregulation.