Serum Total Sialic Acid and Lipid-Linked Sialic Acid May Be the New Potential Biomarkers in Paracetamol Nephrotoxicity

Abstract

Objective: In recent years, paracetamol has been shown to have toxic effects on the kidneys. Sialic acid (SA), an important component of the cell membranes, increases in many pathological conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of paracetamol on the kidney tissue and serum total SA (TSA) and lipid-bound SA (LSA) levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 5 different groups were formed, with 8 rats in each group; 20 and 500 mg/kg/intraperitoneal paracetamol was applied to the groups once daily for 1 and 3 days, respectively. Renal pathology was evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin. TSA/LSA levels and urea/creatinine levels were measured from the blood samples taken from the rats. Results: TSA levels were significantly higher in the groups in which paracetamol was administered in a single dose and 500 mg/kg dose for 3 days than control (p<0.05 and p<0.001). LSA levels were significantly higher in the groups that received 1 and 3 doses of 500 mg/kg/day and 3 doses of 20 mg/kg than control (p<0.05, p<0.001, and p<0.05). Conclusion: SA levels may be a specific marker for kidney damage because of the increase in the SA levels in direct proportion to this level of renal degeneration.