Effect of Free and Nanoparticle-Based Vitamin C and Curcumin on Renal Function, Lipid Profile, and Kidney Histology in Adenine-induced Chronic Kidney Disease in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem characterized by progressive loss of renal function, dyslipidemia, and structural damage to kidney tissue, increasing morbidity and mortality. Although vitamin C and curcumin possess established antioxidant and renoprotective properties, their clinical effectiveness is limited by poor bioavailability and stability. This study investigated effects of free and chitosan nanoparticle–based vitamin C and curcumin on renal function, lipid profile, and kidney histology in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease male Wistar rats. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using the ionic gelation method. Forty rats were randomly assigned into eight groups (n = 5): control, CKD, chitosan nanoparticle control, vitamin C, curcumin, vitamin C nanoparticle, curcumin nanoparticle and vitamin C–curcumin nanoparticle. Chronic kidney disease was induced by oral administration of adenine (400 mg/kg/day) for 21 days, followed by 21 days of treatment. Renal function parameters, lipid profile indices and renal histological features were evaluated. Adenine-induced CKD resulted in marked renal dysfunction, lipid abnormalities and histological alterations. Treatment with nanoparticle-based antioxidants, particularly the vitamin C–curcumin nanoparticle, showed greater improvement compared to free antioxidants. These findings indicate that chitosan-based nanoparticle delivery enhances the therapeutic efficacy of vitamin C and curcumin in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease.