evaluation of the protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of raspberry fruit on aquaporin1 expression in rats kidney treated by methotrexate.

objective: methotrexate is an antimetabolite drug commonly prescribed for the various cancers and autoimmune diseases. despite its considerable therapeutic effects, nephrotoxicity is the most important side-effect of treatment with methotrexate. aquaporin1 is a water channel proteins which are present in mammalian kidney. raspberry fruit with antioxidant properties is able to protect biological systems from the harmful effects of free radicals. the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of raspberry extract on expression of aquaporin1 and the methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. materials and methods: in this experimental study 60 adult male wistar rats were divided into nine groups including control, sham, methotrexate treated group (single dose of 20 mg/kg body weight methotrexate at the 3rd day), raspberry treated groups (intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg bw raspberry extract for ten consecutive days), methotrexate and raspberry treated groups. at day 11, rats were killed via chloroform inhalation and kidney tissues were fixed in formalin solution for histological and immunohistochemistry analysis. the serological assays for urea, creatinine, uric acid and interleukin-6 levels were also performed. results: methotrexate elevated serum level of the urea, creatinine, uric acid, il-6, renal tissue damage and decreased the aqp1 expression level. raspberry fruit extract improved the kidney function and reduced side effects of methotrexate in treated rats. expression of aqp1, in a dose dependent manner was also ameliorated as compared to control group. conclusion: according to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that biological activity of compounds present in raspberry fruit extract especially anthocyanins may have chemoprotective effect on kidney function and aqp1 expression in rats treated by methotrexate.