Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate‐exposition in male rats during the peripubertal period impairs inflammatory mechanisms, antioxidant activity, and apoptosis process in kidneys of male pubertal rats

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, which has been widely recommended for the treatment of Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There are still no data in the literature relating the possible toxic effects of LDX in the kidney. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of LDX exposure on morphological, oxidative stress, cell death and inflammation parameters in the kidneys of male pubertal Wistar rats, since the kidneys are organs related to the excretion of most drugs. For this, twenty male Wistar rats were distributed randomly into two experimental groups: LDX group—received 11,3 mg/kg/day of LDX; and Control group—received tap water. Animals were treated by gavage from postnatal day (PND) 25 to 65. At PND 66, plasma was collected to the biochemical dosage, and the kidneys were collected for determinations of the inflammatory profile, oxidative status, cell death, and for histochemical, and morphometric analyses. Our results show that there was an increase in the number of cells marked for cell death, and a reduction of proximal and distal convoluted tubules mean diameter in the group that received LDX. In addition, our results also showed an increase in MPO and NAG activity, indicating an inflammatory response. The oxidative status showed that the antioxidant system is working undisrupted and avoiding oxidative stress. Therefore, LDX‐exposition in male rats during the peripubertal period causes renal changes in pubertal age involving inflammatory mechanisms, antioxidant activity and apoptosis process. Scheme of the main findings caused by exposure to Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) in the kidneys of male pubertal Wistar rats. LDX affects different kidney parameters, triggering the action of the antioxidant system and the mechanism of cell death. CAT, catalase; GSH, reduced glutathione; GST, glutathione S‐transferase; MPO, myeloperoxidase; NAG, N‐acetyl−β‐d‐glucosaminidase.