Stereological survey of the ameliorative effects of sulforaphane and quercetin on renal tissue in unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats.

Hydrostatic pressure, which is the result of urinary tract blockage, initiates renal injuries. The injuries are characterized by tubular dilatation and/or atrophy, tubular cell death, inflammatory process and progressive interstitial fibrosis with loss of renal parenchyma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of sulforaphane and quercetin, the two natural compounds that can be found in vegetables, in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Three groups of rats underwent surgery to induce UUO. They received distilled water, sulforaphane (500 microg/animal/ day) and quercetin (50 mg/kg/day). Stereological methods were applied in order to obtain accurate, quantitative and comparable data. Less than approximately 4% of renal structures on average remained intact in UUO rats. After the treatment of UUO rats with quercetin, approximately 69%, 32%, 65%, 35% and 41% of the volume of the glomeruli, proximal and distal convoluted tubules (PCT and DCT), Henle's loop and collecting ducts remained intact, respectively (p < 0.01). After the treatment of UUO rats with sulforaphane, approximately 24%, 45%, and 26% of the volume of the PCT, DCT and Henle's loop remained intact, respectively (p < 0.01). After the treatment of UUO rats with quercetin, approximately 71%, 81%, 51%, and 57% of the length of the PCT, DCT, Henle's loop and collecting ducts remained intact, respectively (p < 0.01). After the treatment of UUO rats with sulforaphane, approximately 42% and 41% of the length of the PCT and DCT remained intact, respectively (p < 0.01). Changes in the length of Henle's loop and collecting ducts were not significant. In conclusion, quercetin and sulforaphane were found to be effective in preventing some structural renal damage in the direct obstruction model. Quercetin had a more ameliorative role on renal structures.