Alterations in renal antioxidant and glycolytic enzymes associated with liver cirrhosis in rats and their modulation by biochemic tissue salts Natrum sulphuricum and Natrum phosphoricum

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is often caused by chronic alcohol consumption and acetaminophen use. LC can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), significantly impacting quality of life and life expectancy. Current treatments for LC-induced kidney impairment are limited, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. This study investigated the potential of biochemic tissue salts, Natrum sulphuricum (NS) and Natrum phosphoricum (NP), in treating kidney health. Animals were divided into five groups. Rats of the normal control group received water and a normal diet ad libitum; rats of the alcohol and LC group received 4.5% alcohol and a combination of 4.5% alcohol and acetaminophen (300 mg/kg bw) via drinking water, respectively, for seven days. After seven days, rats in the LC+NS and LC+NP groups received NS (50 mg/kg bw) and NP (50 mg/kg bw), respectively, via drinking water for four weeks. Exposure to alcohol and acetaminophen resulted in a significant impairment of liver and kidney function, as indicated by elevated serum transaminases such as SGOT and SGPT, and urea and creatinine levels (p < 0.01, 0.001). Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and SOD, as well as glycolytic enzymes, were also significantly impaired. Treatment with NS and NP resulted in a significant restoration of kidney function, as reflected by decreased serum creatinine and urea levels and increased antioxidant enzyme activities compared with the LC group. The NS and NP treatment increased antioxidant enzyme activities by 25-50% and decreased serum creatinine and urea levels by 30-40% compared to the LC group. This research provides additional mechanistic insight into how NS and NP tissue salts modulate biochemical and metabolic pathways involved in liver- and cirrhosis-associated kidney dysfunction, suggesting their potential therapeutic relevance. • NS and NP improve renal function in cirrhosis via antioxidant and metabolic modulation. • Cirrhosis induces oxidative stress and glycolytic imbalance in kidney tissue. • Treatment restores SOD, CAT, GSH, and reduces lipid peroxidation and H 2 O 2 levels. • Findings suggest a potential role of NS/NP in modulating hepatorenal dysfunction.