Abstract: Aim To investigate the effect of sodium ferulate(SF), a compound derived from Chinese herbs，on gentamicin (GM)nephrotoxicity in renal tubular cells.Methods Alanine aminopeptidase (ALT), catalase (Cat), and N-acetyl-β- glucosaminidase (NAG)activities, DNA synthesis, cytosolic free calcium concentration, and morphological alterations were observed in gentamicin-induced damage to cultured primary renal proximal tubular cells.The protection of SF to damages was observed too.Results In GM group, ALT and Cat activities decreased, NAG activity invreased;besides, DNA synthesis decreased and cytosolic free calcium concentration increased.Electronmicrosope observation revealed an extensive vacuolization in proximal tubular cells and formation of myeloid bodies in lysosome.Simultaneous administration of SF with GM could markedly improve the values of parameters mentioned above and the histological damages.Conclusion SF can protect renal proximal tubular cell from GM nephrotoxicity.

Key words: Sodium ferulate, Gentamicin, Nephrotoxicity Cell, Culture