Abstract
This study aimed at determining the changes in food consumption, water intake, plasma and urine concentrations of some organic constituents which are often used in the assessment of renal function following two weeks’ administration of two doses of copper sulphate to Wistar rats. Fifteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of five rats each. Group I (control group) received distilled water; groups II and III were given 100 and 200 mg/kg/day p. o of copper sulphate for 14 days, respectively. Significant reductions in food consumption and water intake were observed in group II when compared with the control and group III rats, but their body weight increased insignificantly throughout the study. The plasma urea concentrations of the treated rats were not significantly different from the control rats. The plasma creatinine levels of the experimental rats rose slightly, but not significantly different from the control rats. The creatinine and urea concentrations in the urine fell significantly in group II when compared with the control group. This was accompanied by decrease in creatinine clearance. Photomicrographs of the kidneys of both the control and experimental rats revealed no alteration in the histology of their renal tissue. It is concluded that acute copper sulphate administration to rats induced anorexia and suppression of renal function, thereby indicating the potential toxicity of the salt if ingested for a longer period. Key words: Copper sulphate, kidney, creatinine, urea, rats.
Highlights
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element and one of the most important heavy metals capable of producing toxic effects in man and animals when ingested acutely or chronically in excess
The fixed kidney samples were dehydrated in graded alcohol and embedded in paraffin wax
In the first week of treatment, a significant reduction in food consumption was observed in group II when compared with the control and group III rats (Table 1)
Summary
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element and one of the most important heavy metals capable of producing toxic effects in man and animals when ingested acutely or chronically in excess. Among the medicinal applications of copper is its utilization in certain types of dental amalgam and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) It appears in several enzymes, facilitates the absorption of iron, and helps to transmit electrical signals in the body. The circulation and proper utilization of copper in the body requires good functioning of the liver, gall bladder and adrenal glands. Copper is a powerful oxidant causing inflammation and free radical damage to the tissues To avoid these toxic effects, it must be bound to the binding proteins, ceruloplasmin and metallothionein. These proteins can become deficient due to impaired adrenal and liver function which allows free copper to build up (Sinkovic et al, 2008)
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