Ochratoxin A (OTA), is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin present in wine, which is nephrotoxic in humans.Our working hypothesis is that natural substances in wine may counteract OTA toxicity. Thirty-sixrats were randomized to OTA dissolved in saline, red wine, or 13.5% ethanol or to OTA-free wine,ethanol, or saline. OTA (289
g/kg of body weight/48 h) was administered by gastric gavage for 2weeks. Serum
creatinine, tubular enzymuria, renal lipohydroperoxides (LOOH), reduced (GSH) andoxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and renal superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) were determined inrenal tissue. OTA alone produced significant increases in renal lipoperoxides and significant decreasesin SOD and GSH/GSSG
ratio. In red wine or ethanol, OTA was less nephrotoxic, reducing oxidativedamage as revealed by LOOH. In OTA-wine and OTA-ethanol groups, SOD activity was higherthan in the OTA-treated one, suggesting that both ethanol and nonalcoholic fractions may preserveantioxidant reserve. GSH/GSSG
ratio was significantly preserved only in the OTA-wine group andnot in OTA-ethanol. Red wine may exert a protective effect against OTA nephrotoxicity by limitingoxidative damage. The ostensible protection afforded by ethanol deserves further investigation.Keywords: Ochratoxin A; red wine; nephrotoxicity; rat; ethanol; lipid peroxidation; glutathione;superoxide dismutase activity