EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF NEPHROPATHY IN RATS WITH PROLONGED ANTIMONY INTOXICATION

Abstract

Introduction. Despite the ample prevalence of antimony in the human environment, there are still no reliable data on its nephrotoxicity. Data from the literature are inconsistent. Materials and methods. The experiments were performed in 2 groups of male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. Group 1: intact animals; Group 2: animals with intragastric injection of antimony chloride solution. The solution was injected through a probe into the stomach every day at a dose of 3 mg/kg for one and two months. After the experiment was terminated, the rats were euthanised under thiopental anaesthesia for plasma and renal tissue examination. The basic processes of urine formation, blood electrolyte content (sodium, potassium and calcium) and kidney function were studied under conditions of spontaneous 6-hour diuresis after one and two months. Content of sodium and potassium in biological material was determined by ion-selective method on electrolyte analyzer AEK-1 (Kverti-Med). The concentration of calcium and creatinine in urine and blood plasma, total protein in urine were determined spectrophotometrically. For histological studies, kidney tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, then embedded in paraffin, followed by preparation of 7-8 microns thick sections. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The sections were studied in transmitted light using a Mikmed-1 microscope at a magnification of 80x200x400. Results. Experiments showed that chronic sulimic intoxication leads to toxic nephropathy, manifested after 2 months of intoxication by a sharp decrease in diuresis due to decreased glomerular filtration rate, impaired electrolyte-excretory function of the kidneys, proteinuria. Morphological examination showed alterative changes: urinary space of glomeruli was enlarged, capillary endothelium with signs of hydropic dystrophy. There was hyaline-drop dystrophy of renal tubule epithelium with partial necrosis. Stroma was edematous, vessels were full of blood with hyalinosis of their walls. Conclusion. Prolonged antimony intoxication leads to nephropathy. Manifestations of the latter after one month and two months of intoxication differ in direction, but are accompanied by marked proteinuria.