Ginger extract protects rat’s kidneys against oxidative damage after chronic ethanol administration

Chronic alcohol ingestion is associated with pronounced detrimental effects on the renal system. In the
current study, the protective effect of ginger extract on ethanol-induced damage was evaluated through
determining 8-OHdG, cystatin C, glomerular filtration rate, and pathological changes such as cell
proliferation and fibrosis in rats’ kidneys. Male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups and
were treated as follows: (1) control, (2) ethanol and (3) ginger extract treated ethanolic (GETE) groups.
After a six weeks period of treatment, the results revealed proliferation of glomerular and tubular cells,
fibrosis in glomerular and peritubular and a significant rise in the level of 8-OHdG, cystatin C, plasma urea
and creatinine. Moreover, compared to the control group, the ethanol group showed a significant
decrease in the urine creatinine and creatinine clearance. In addition, significant amelioration of changes
in the structure of kidneys, along with restoration of the biochemical alterations were found in the ginger
extract treated ethanolic group, compared to the ethanol group. These findings indicate that ethanol
induces kidneys abnormality by oxidative DNA damage and oxidative stress, and that these effects can be
alleviated using ginger as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent