Effect of Meloxicam and Flunixin Meglumine on some Kidney parameters in Geriatric male rats

Advanced age, called geriatrics, negatively affects the aging–related physiological changes on bodysystems. non–steroidal anti–inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used in geriatric pets or humans have negative effects on the kidneys. For this purpose, , the effects of Meloxicam and Flunixin Meglumine, which are NSAIDs frequently used in Veterinary Medicine, on the liver and kidney structure and function in geriatric male rats were evaluated. Twenty–four male geriatric rats (30–36 month old) and twenty–four 3–month–old young male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Six groups were created, with eight rats in each group: young control (YC), young Meloxicam (YM), young Flunixin Meglubine (YFM), geriatric control (GC), geriatric meloxicam (GM), geriatric Flunixin Meglubine (GFM). Control groups (YC and GC) received an intraperitoneal injection of saline using the same volume as in the othergroups. Meloxicam was administered at 5.8 mg·kg-1 to the YM and GM groups, and Flunixin Meglumine at 2.5 mg·kg-1 intraperitoneally to the YFM and GFM groups once a day for 5 days. Neutrophil Gelatinase–Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), Cystatin C (Cyc–c), Kidney Injury Molecule–1 (KIM–1), Interleukin–18 (IL–18), Urea, Creatinine (Crea), Albumin (Alb), and Total Protein (TP) levels, were determined in sera and urine samples. Serum NGAL, Cys–C, and KIM–1 levels in the GC group were found to be significantly higher than those in the YC group (P<0.05). Administration of both NSAIDs caused an increase in serum Cyc–c and NGAL levels in both young and geriatric rats (P<0.05). Since both Meloxicam and Flunixin Meglumine administration caused an increase in NGAL and Cys–c levels in young and geriatric rats, adjusting the drug dose and frequency of administration by evaluating the pretreatment renal function should be considered as a preventive measure.