beta-Naphthoflavone protects mice from aristolochic acid-I-induced acute kidney injury in a CYP1A dependent mechanism

Aim: The role of CYP1A in the protection of aristolochic acid (AA)I-induced nephrotoxicity has been suggested. In the present study we investigated the effects of beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), a non-carcinogen CYP1A inducer, on AAI-induced kidney injury.

Methods: Mice were pretreated with 80 mg/kg BNF by daily intraperitoneal injection (ip) for 3 days followed by a single ip of 10 mg/kg AAI. AAI and its major metabolites in blood, liver and kidney, the expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in microsomes of liver and kidney, as well as the nephrotoxicity were evaluated.

Results: BNF pretreatment prevented AAI-induced renal damage by facilitating the disposal of AAI in liver. BNF pretreatment induced the expression of CYP1A1 in both liver and kidney; but the induction of CYP1A2 was only observed in liver.

Conclusion: BNF prevents AAI-induced kidney toxicity primarily through CYP1A induction.