Kidney Of Wistar Rats Research Articles

Biochemical and histological effects of five weeks ingestion of Zamzam water on the liver and kidneys of Wistar rats

Zamzam water is a natural alkaline water which has become alkaline as a result of the natural environment. It comes from what is considered as one of the oldest springs in the world. The water contains high concentrations of alkaline minerals as well as trace and heavy metals. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effects of five weeks ingestion of Zamzam water on the liver and kidney functions of rats. Adult female Wistar rats weighing 150–200 g were divided into two groups, with 15 rats in each. The control group was supplied daily by bottled water and the Zamzam water group was supplied daily by 500 ml of Zamzam water for five weeks. The rats were weighed weekly and, at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from all rats for the biochemical determination of serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, albumin, and uric acid, using calorimetric methods. Liver and kidney tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered-formalin solution and further embedded in wax blocks for routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and were examined for histopathological changes using a light microscope. The results of the current study showed that there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the weight of the Zamzam group when compared to the control group after five weeks of ingestion. Liver and kidney function tests did not show any significant difference when compared with the controls (P > 0.05). In addition, histological examination of the liver and kidney tissues did not show any toxicological changes. In conclusion, the results showed that the ingestion of Zamzam water did not alter serum levels of kidney function tests and liver enzymes; and did not result in a noticeable change in the liver and kidney histology. Thus, the high concentrations of elements in Zamzam water do not induce hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity and the water is considered safe for long-term consumption.

Effect of Aspergillus spp., on Liver, Kidney and Intestines of WNIN Rat (Rattus norvegicus) Fed on Fungus Inoculated Rice (Oryza sativa. L) – An Electron Microscope Study

Aims: This present study was conceived with two objectives. The first aim of the study is to establish the ultrastructural variation of normal rice grain collected from different market sources. Also, the study is aimed to investigate the fungal (Aspergillus spp.,) infection in stored rice grain and Ultrastructural variation patterns in rice due to fungal infection by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Further, the changes in selected visceral organs (Liver, Kidney and Intestines) of Wistar NIN Rat when they were fed on fungal inoculated rice.&#x0D; Study Design: The study was completed in to the two phases.&#x0D; First Phase: Collection of different rice samples, preparation of contaminated rice inoculated with Aspergillus sp., Ultrastructure analysis of rice samples by using SEM.&#x0D; Second Phase: Animal experiments, Analysis of biochemical estimations in blood serum by spectrophotometer and ultrastructural studies in the selected visceral organs viz., Liver, kidney and intestines of rat by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Histopathological changes by Light microscope in rats fed with inoculated rice powder with Aspergillus spp.,(treated) fungus.&#x0D; Control rats were fed with normal rice powder (control).&#x0D; Place and Duration of the Study: SEM Facility, Extension and Training division ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Tarnaka, Hyderabad. Telangana state, India. Duration from 2013 to 2015.&#x0D; Methodology: Animal experiments with albino white Wistar Rat (Rattus norvigecus) weighing about approximately 120-140 grams of each rat and six (6) of each for treated group and control were taken for experimental purpose. Six rats were fed on inoculated rice with fungus Aspergillus sp., and 6 were fed without fungus inoculated rice for control. These animals were maintained under standard procedure as per the protocol of animal ethics. After 28 days of feeding, all the rats were sacrificed as per the regulations animal ethical guidelines. Tissues like liver, kidney and intestines of rats (treated and control) were processed and examined for histopathological and ultrastructural changes by using light and electron microscope. Blood serum from the treated and control rats were collected and processed for biochemical investigations by spectrophotometer.&#x0D; Results: The hepatocytes in liver of the treatment group rats showed metachromatic granules (cytoplasmic) and nuclear pleomorphism (occurrence of more than one form of glycogen granules) existence in same species of more than one morphological type but it was absent in the control rats’ livers. In electron microscope studies, swollen mitochondria and well developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) were present in treated group rats as against normal mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in control rats were observed. The kidneys of treatment group showed patch like mononuclear cell infiltrations in the cortex including many apoptotic bodies in between the renal tubules. Intestines of treated group rat showed the damages in the inner walls of intestinal epithelium in between cells. TEM studies showed swollen mitochondria, absorptive cells of epithelium and endoplasmic reticulum tubules were highly expanded in the treated group rat intestines while normal appearance of the intestines with well developed epithelial cells of microvilli was observed in control rats.&#x0D; Conclusion: Improper storage of rice grains in food godowns would cause damage to the rice grains due to fungal infections. Although fungal infected grain apparently normal in appearance, from the food safety point of view the grains are not fit for human consumption. Hence, using SEM in quality control and assurance of food safety of rice grains to assess the quality to declare fitness for human consumption is required at this juncture.

The Protective Effect of Tropical Fruit Juice on Histopathological of Kidney Wistar Rats After Exposed Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke is a toxic compound that can interfere with physiological effects and damage the organ systems in the body. The effects of free radicals arising from cigarette smoke can be neutralized by consuming antioxidant compounds. The research aims to look at the protective effects of mixed juice from tropical fruits that grow in Indonesia to the histopathological picture of the kidney of wistar rats exposed to cigarette smoke. There were 35 rats used and divided into 5 treatment groups consisting of K (without treatment), K- (cigarette smoke exposed), P1 (strawberry and guava juice mixed juice 3ml), P2 (strawberry and papaya mixed juice 3ml), P3 (P3 (strawberry and apple mixed juice 3ml). In P1, P2 and P3 before being given a mixture of fruit juice, rats were exposed to cigarette smoke first. The treatment was carried out for 40 days by oral gavage, then on the 41st day the rats were dissected and their kidney organs were taken for observation and histopathological preparations. Histopathology preparations were made by the paraffin method and Haematoxylin Eosin staining. The cell damage data is then analyzed by comparing the kidney cells from the control group with the treatment group and scoring damage followed by the percentage of kidney damage. Data were statistically tested using ANOVA followed by Post Hoc LSD. The results showed that mixed tropical fruit juice could protect kidney cell damage by decreasing the percentage of hydropic degeneration, necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells compared with negative controls (P &lt;0.05). There is no significant difference between P1, P2 and P3 in reducing cell damage. The conclusion of the study is that all combinations of tropical fruit juice can protect cell damage caused by free radicals from exposure to cigarette smoke in wistar rats.

Remote organs respond differently to curcumin treatment after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury

We aimed investigate the effects of 45 min of ischemia followed by 72 h of intestinal reperfusion (IR) in the ileum, liver, lungs, and kidneys in Wistar rats and the responses of these organs to curcumin treatment. Ischemia was induced by occluding the superior mesenteric artery. Rats were treated orally with 40 mg/kg curcumin. We analyzed oxidative stress and inflammation in the ileum, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Intestinal IR led to a reduction of reduced glutathione levels in the intestine, lungs, and kidneys and increased lipid hydroperoxide levels in all organs. An increase in the enzymatic activity of catalase was observed in all organs, and an increase in superoxide dismutase activity was observed in the ileum and lungs. Glutathione s-transferase levels increased only in the kidneys. Myeloperoxidase increased in all four organs, and n-acetyl-glycosaminidase increased only in the ileum and lungs. Curcumin prevented all of the changes in the ileum and liver. In the lungs, curcumin had no effect on n-acetyl-glycosaminidase. Curcumin did not prevent the changes in reduced glutathione, lipid hydroperoxides, or myeloperoxidase in the kidneys. Intestinal IR caused oxidative stress and inflammation in the ileum, lungs, and kidneys and to a lesser degree in the liver. Because of its systemic distribution, curcumin prevented changes mainly in the ileum, lungs, and liver and to a lesser degree in the kidneys.

Intermedin Alleviates Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Enhances Neovascularization in Wistar Rats.

BackgroundIschemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and increases the risk of subsequently developing chronic kidney disease. Angiogenesis has been shown to play an important role in reducing renal injury after ischemia reperfusion. In this study, we investigated whether IMD could reduce renal IRI by promoting angiogenesis.MethodsThe kidneys of Wistar rats were subjected to 45 min of warm ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. IMD was overexpressed in vivo using the vector pcDNA3.1-IMD transfected by an ultrasound-mediated system. The renal injury after ischemia reperfusion was assessed by detection of the serum creatinine concentration and histologic examinations of renal tissues stained by PAS and H&E. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Histological examinations were used to assess the expression of CD31, MMP2, MMP9, ET-1, VEGF and VEGFR2 in tissues.ResultsRenal function and renal histological damage were significantly ameliorated in IMD-transfected rats after ischemia reperfusion. Compared to the IRI, IMD significantly promoted angiogenesis. IMD also upregulated the protein and mRNA expression levels of VEGF and VEGFR2 and downregulated the expression level of MMP2, MMP9 and ET-1.ConclusionIMD could protect the kidney after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by promoting angiogenesis and reducing the destruction of the perivascular matrix.

Biochemical and Histopathological Studies of Key Tissues in Healthy Male Wistar Rats Fed on African Yam Bean Seed and Tuber Meals

Food insecurity and malnutrition are currently major issues affecting most developing countries, especially on the African continent. To mitigate this effect, focus is being given to orphan or underutilized crops with immense potentials to boost food and nutrition security in Africa, such as the African yam bean (AYB) Sphenostylis stenocarpa. The effect of AYB seed and tuber meals on the tissues of the kidney, liver, and testis of healthy male Wistar rats were investigated in this study. Four accessions of AYB were used for this study, TSs 107, TSs 140, AYB 45, and AYB 57. Thirty rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 6). Group I was fed on standard pelletized rat chow (control), Group II fed on 50% seed meal, Group III fed on 100% seed meal, Group IV fed on 50% tuber meal, and Group-V fed on 100% tuber meal. At the end of the treatments, the animals were sacrificed after 72 h under light ether anesthesia, and biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted on the tissues. Phytate concentration was higher in the seeds (TSs140 (550 mg 100g−1), AYB45 (460 mg 100g−1), and AYB57 (485 mg 100g−1)) compared to the tubers (TSs140 (14.8 mg 100g−1), AYB 45 (275 mg 100g−1), and AYB57 (240 mg 100g−1)). The consumption of 100% unprocessed AYB seeds caused liver and kidney damage in rats due to increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (5.04 ± 1.62 U L−I), alanine aminotransferase (8.46 ± 2.43 U L−I), and lipid peroxidation (0.27 ± 0.02-unit mg−1protein). AYB tubers were innocuous to Wistar rats investigated. Good processing of AYB seeds is required for safe consumption by humans and livestock. This study has shown that tubers of AYB are safe for human consumption and should be utilized in meals as it contains fewer antinutrients and had no significant effect on the tissues examined in Wistar rats.

Protective effects of vitamin E on aluminium chloride-induced liver and kidney damage in rats

Aluminium is present in many manufactured foods and medicines and is also used in water purification. It is known that aluminium causes oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of vitamin E (VE) in modulating the toxicity of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) on biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in serum and different organs (liver and kidney) of male Wistar rats. 24 rats (150-180g) were divided into four groups of six animals each : control ; Al was administered intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg/bw, one times a week) ; VE was given orally at a daily dose (100 mg/kg/bw) and Al+VE group. The experiment during for 90 days. AlCl3 caused a decreased in body weight consumption along with increased in the absolute and relative liver and kidney weights. TBARS level was increased, and the enzymes activities of CAT and SOD were decreased in liver and kidney of rats treated with AlCl3. While, TBARS was decreased and the antioxidant enzymes were increased in rats treated with VE. The hepatic and renal damage induced by Al was evidenced by a increase in the levels of serum AST, ALT, LDH, ALP, γGT, glucose, urea, creatinine and bilirubin, while total protein and albumin were decreased due to AlCl3 administration. These parameters indicated the extent of oxidative damage in liver and kidney, thus confirming the histology results in these organs. It can be concluded in this study that presence of VE effectively atte-nuated AlCl3 induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats. It has benefi-cial influences and protective effect against AlCl3 toxicity.

Ruellia tuberosa L. Extract Improves Histopathology and Lowers Malondialdehyde Levels and TNF Alpha Expression in the Kidney of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Ruellia tuberosa L. is a therapeutic plant that is generally consumed in Indonesian traditional medicine to prevent or cure various illnesses, i.e., diabetes. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of hydroethanolic root extracts of Ruellia tuberosa L. on the kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. In this study, male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: healthy rats (group 1), diabetic rats (group 2), and treated rats which received extract at dosages of 250 (group 3), 375 (group 4), and 500 (group 5) mg/kg body weight for 21 days. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced by the administration of five doses of streptozotocin 20 mg/kg body weight within five consecutive days. Significant increases in the value of TNF alpha expression and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were observed in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Furthermore, severe histological alterations of kidney tissues occurred in the diabetic rats group. After treatment was applied, the value of TNF alpha expression and MDA levels on the kidney decreased considerably (p < 0.05) in groups 3, 4, and 5. The optimum dosage was obtained at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight (group 3), which had 42.24% and 52.70% decrease in TNF alpha expression and MDA levels, respectively. The histopathological profiles of the kidney also showed significant improvements in treated groups. The most prominent recoveries were also shown in group 3. The treatments induced repairment in the glomerular and renal tubular damages in the kidney tissues. To conclude, these results emphasize potentially health valuable properties of hydroethanolic root extracts of R. tuberosa L. in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Oral Acute &amp; Sub-Chronic Toxicity Assessment of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Simarouba glauca

Traditional herbal medicine and their preparations have been widely used for thousands of years and are still in use in developing and developed countries owing to their medicinal values and their presumed relative safety. This belief that medicinal plants are not toxic or are with less side effect due to their natural origin is debatable; hence this study was conducted to evaluate the safety and (or) toxicity of Ethanol leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (EESG) on liver, kidney and heart functions of Wistar rats. The oral acute toxicity of EESG was evaluated in line with Lorke’s method. The sub-chronic toxicity of EESG was carried out according to the OECD guidelines with modification and using a total of twenty-four (24) male Wistar rats; divided into four groups of six rats each, following a two-week acclimatization. Test rats were orally administered EESG at doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for thirty (30) days, while the control was given only feed and water ad libitum. At the end of the experiment, the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia; relevant biochemical and histopathology analyses were carried out. The data obtained from the oral acute test indicate that the LD50 was above 5000 mg/kg and there was no death recorded. There were significant increases (P ˂ 0.05) in percentage (%) body weight of rats administered respective doses of EESG. There were significant reductions (P˂0.05) in mean liver: body weight ratio of rats administered EESG 500 and 2000 mg/kg respectively, significant reductions (P˂0.05) in mean kidney: body weight ratios of rats given EESG 1000 and 2000 mg/kg respectively; significant reductions (P˂0.05) in mean heart: body weight ratios of test rats administered EESG 2000 mg/kg; whereas others were not significantly different (P˃0.05) relative to their respective control. Plasma ALT and GGT activities of rats administered respective dose of EESG were significantly reduced (P˂0.05); plasma ALP activities were significantly elevated (P˂0.05) relative to the control after 30 days. There were no significant differences (P˃0.05) in plasma total proteins and albumin levels. Plasma total and unconjugated bilirubin of rats administered respective dose of EESG were not significantly different (P˃0.05); whereas, rats given EESG recorded significant reduction in plasma conjugated bilirubin. Plasma urea was significantly elevated (P˂0.05) in rats administered EESG 1000 and 2000 mg/kg respectively. Test rats given EESG 500 and 1000 mg/kg respectively recorded significant elevations in plasma creatinine and rats given EESG 2000 mg/kg recorded significant decrease in plasma creatinine levels; others were not significantly different relative to the control. Plasma chloride and potassium ion levels of rats administered respective doses of EESG were not significantly different (P˃0.05); significant reduction (P˂0.05) in plasma sodium ions concentration in all group compared to the control. Plasma calcium ion levels in all group were not significantly different (P˃0.05); whereas there were significant reductions (P˂0.05) in plasma bicarbonate ion levels relative to their respective controls. Although plasma ALP activity were significantly elevated, there were no elevations in specific liver function enzymes and no visible hepatocellular damage. Furthermore, the conspicuous elevations observed in plasma urea and creatinine levels do not exclusively indicate EESG-induced organ injury. Therefore, it is suggestive that EESG was not significantly toxic to the to the liver, kidney and heart respectively and may be administered at lower doses in further studies.

Toward image quality assessment in optical coherence tomography (OCT) of rat kidney

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a useful tool for the evaluation of structure and function of the kidney, but the image quality can be effected by many factors. The objective of this study was to assess the image quality of different OCT systems in OCT imaging of the living kidney. One swept-source OCT (SSOCT) of 1300 nm, one spectral domain OCT (SDOCT) of 1300 nm and another of 900 nm were used. A FeO phantom was used to establish the point spread function (PSF). Rat kidneys were imaged for image quality assessment. Light penetration in the kidney and the optical attenuation coefficient were also evaluated. The quantification of uriniferous tubules was carried out via the threshold segmentation of 3D OCT images. The quality of kidney images was resolution dependent. SDOCT of 900 nm showed higher peak signal-to noise ratio and dynamic range. The spatial resolution in the light field could be derived from the PSF distribution along three mutually orthogonal axes. In conjunction with the PSF, the Lucy-Richardson algorithm could improve image quality but could not reveal more microstructural information. The penetration depth of 1300 nm was deeper than that of 900 nm. The attenuation coefficient of the kidney was 29 cm-1 at 1300 nm and 50 cm-1 at 900 nm (P < 0.001). More accurate measurement of uriniferous tubules was achieved with the SDOCT-900 due to its higher resolution. Both SSOCT and SDOCT systems could be useful for imaging uriniferous tubules in the superficial layers of the cortex. The OCT image quality was highly correlated with the spatial resolution of OCT system.

Microscopic and biochemical changes on liver and kidney of Wistar rats on combination antiretroviral therapy: the impact of naringenin and quercetin.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), which is a lifelong therapy for people living with human immunodeficiency virus, has been associated with nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity leading to its discontinuation. This study aimed at investigating the ameliorative potential of naringenin and quercetin on cART-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Seventy male Wistar rats (225-260g) were divided into seven groups as control, cART, naringenin, quercetin, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), naringenin/cART (CN) and quercetin/cART (CQ). cART (24mg/kg), naringenin (50mg/kg) and quercetin (50mg/kg) were dissolved in 1% v/v DMSO and administered orally for 56days. Combination of cART and bioflavonoids had significant increase in superoxide dismutase (P<0.05), catalase (P<0.01), reduced glutathione (P<0.001) and decreased malondialdehyde (P<0.001) compared to cART only. Tumor necrosis factor Alpha (TNFα) level increased significantly in cART and CQ (P<0.01) groups, while others showed no significant changes compared to control. TNFα also significantly decreased in CQ level compared to cART (P<0.001). In addition, significant increase in creatinine level in cART only indicated progressive renal toxicity. Also, progressive pathological changes including congested blood vessels and hepatocellular necrosis were found in the liver, while the kidney had glomerular atrophy, and tubular distortion in cART-only group. Control, naringenin- and quercetin-treated groups showed normal renal and hepatic cytoarchitecture. These findings elucidate that progressive renal and hepatic toxicity is associated with the continuous use of cART; however, a combination of quercetin and naringenin with cART showed possible potential of ameliorating the damages posed by cART.

Harmine, a natural β-carboline alkaloid, ameliorates apoptosis by decreasing the expression of caspase-3 in the kidney of diabetic male Wistar rats

BackgroundNumerous clinical studies have suggested that apoptosis in the kidney cells are associated with the diabetes. This study aimed to discover the anti-apoptotic activities of Peganum harmala seed extract and harmine in diabetic kidney disease. Materials and methodsIn this research, 64 male Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n = 8): diabetic (D), diabetic with vehicle (DV), diabetic with harmine (DH), diabetic with seed extract (DS), control (C), control with the vehicle (V), control with harmine (H), and control with seed extract (S). Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg). The extraction of the seed material was performed by methanol solvent. Analysis of seed extract was achieved by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography. Harmine and the seed extract were used in a single dose of 6.5 and 150 mg/kg, respectively (daily by oral gavage for 28 days). Blood serum creatinine, urea, and albumin were examined and histological staining of kidney was analyzed. The percentages of apoptotic kidney cells were determined by flow cytometry and caspase-3 expression was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. ResultsThe mean of fasting blood urea level was significantly lower in DH (p < 0.001) and DS rats (p < 0.05), as compared to the D rats. A significant increase of albumin was observed in S and H rats compared to the C group of rats (p < 0.001). The seed extract has been alleviated damages to the kidney histology in D rats. Harmine and the seed extract caused a statistically significant reduction of caspase-3 in the renal diabetic cells compared to D group (p < 0.001). ConclusionOur findings suggest that active β-carboline of harmine in the P. harmala seed extract exerts its anti-apoptotic effects by decreasing caspase-3 in diabetic kidney disease.

Oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis induced by tebuconazole in the kidney of male Wistar rat

Tebuconazole (TEB) is a broad-spectrum conazole fungicide that has been used in agriculture in the control of foliar and soil-borne diseases of many crops. The present study has investigated the adverse effects of subchronic exposure to TEB on the kidney of male rats. Animals were divided into four equal groups and treated with TEB at increasing doses 0.9, 9 and 27 mg/kg body weight for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that TEB induced oxidative stress in the kidney demonstrated by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels and DNA damage, as compared to the controls. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were increased in the renal tissue of treated rats. Moreover, significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content in TEB-treated rats was observed, while oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels were increased, thus a marked fall in GSH/GSSG ratio was registered in the kidney. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity showed a significant increase after TEB exposure. Moreover, TEB down-regulated the expression of Bcl2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax and caspase 3, which triggered apoptosis via the Bax/Bcl2 and caspase pathway. Also, TEB administration resulted in altered biochemical indicators of renal function and varying lesions in the overall histo-architecture of renal tissues. Taken together, our findings brought into light the renal toxicity induced by TEB, which was found to be significant at low doses.

Effects of dietary iron restriction on kidney mitochondria function and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia causing mitochondrial dysfunction and kidney iron overload has been observed during diabetes. We evaluated the effects of an iron-restricted diet (IRD) on mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial iron levels in the kidneys of Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. IRD ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic rats by restoring mitochondrial respiration and respiratory complex activity, improving oxidative stress and glutathione status in kidney mitochondria. We also observed mitochondrial iron overload. Our data suggest that elevated iron levels were attenuated by IRD, resulting in modulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in the kidney.

SKlotho is associated with the severity of brick tea-type skeletal fluorosis in China

The change of serum soluble Klotho (sKlotho) content is related to a variety of osteoarthropathy. However, its association with the severity of skeletal fluorosis (SF) is not clear. Here, the association of tea fluoride exposure with serum sKlotho levels and the severity of SF were investigated and further verified in a rat model of fluorosis. A cross sectional case control study was conducted in residents over 50 years old from brick-tea drinking areas in Qinghai and Xinjiang Provinces, China. Concentrations of fluoride in brick tea water and urine were determined by ion selective electrode method, and the levels of serum sKlotho were determined by ELISA method. Linear regression and ordered logistic regression models were constructed to examine the relationship among fluoride exposure, serum sKlotho levels and the severity of SF. The kidney and small intestine of Wistar rats were isolated for detection of Klotho by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and femoral artery blood was sampled to measure the serum levels of sKlotho. An increase of 1 mg/day in tea fluoride intake (TFI) was associated with a 12.070 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.452–23.689) increase in serum sKlotho levels and a 1.163-fold (95% CI: 1.007–1.342) increase in the severity of SF after adjusting for age, gender, and ethnicity. Serum sKlotho levels were also positively associated with the severity of SF (P < 0.05). The mediation analysis showed that serum sKlotho levels mediated 17.76% of the increase in the severity of SF caused by an increase of 1 mg/day of TFI. Moreover, a significant increase of serum sKlotho levels in fluoride-exposed groups was also seen in the rat model. The present study suggests that serum sKlotho may be a potential mediator of SF in brick tea-type fluorosis endemic areas.

Chenopodium ambrosioides var. ambrosioides leaf extracts possess regenerative and ameliorative effects against mercury-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity

Empirical literature reveals the use of Chenopodium ambrosioides var. ambrosioides leaf extract as antipyretic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cancer chemoprotective, and antidiabetic agent in folklore medicine – with these pharmacological properties linked to its secondary metabolites. There are, however, no adequate information on the possible protective, regenerative, and ameliorative effects on toxicity induced by heavy metals. Hence, the investigations on mercury-induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in this study. The leaf extract was profiled using gas chromatographic instrument coupled with mass spectrometer (GC–MS) and revealed 100 metabolites ranging from polyphenols, terpenes, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. The antioxidant assays revealed that C. ambrosioides leaf extracts possess antioxidant properties with hexane fraction exhibiting the highest scavenging activities for DPPH (IC50 = 0.02 mg/mL), FRAP (730.92 mg/AAE g), and metal ion chelating ability (IC50 = 3.18 mg/mL). Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity biomarkers using total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), creatinine, uric acid, urea, ALT, and AST activities both in the kidney and liver homogenates of Wistar rats revealed significant regenerative improvement which differs significantly at p < 0.05 when compared with experimental rats with toxicant only. In the same vein, the histomorphological analysis showed remarkable hepatocellular regeneration presenting features of normal architectural arrangements of hepatic tissues while acute toxicological studies revealed that the LD50 of C. ambrosioides leaf material is well above 5000 mg/kg. The outcomes of this study showed that the leaf extract exhibited high hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activities as well as being implicated in the discovery of safe, cheaper, and effective therapeutic agents thereby highlighting its importance as a promising industrial crop.

Effects of vitamin A and vitamin E on attenuation of amphotericin B-induced side effects on kidney and liver of male Wistar rats.

Despite the fact that amphotericin B (AmB) is currently considered as the first choice for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, it is associated with some side effects. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of vitamins A and E against amphotericin B-induced adverse effects in the kidney and liver of rat. Thirty male Wistar rats aged 7-8weeks and weighing around 200g were randomly divided into five groups, each one containing six rats. The first to fifth groups received olive oil as the control groups, AmB, AmB + vitamin A, AmB + vitamin E, and AmB + vitamins A + E, respectively. Rats received vitamins by gavage (vitamin A, 1000IU/kg and vitamin E, 100IU/kg) and amphotericin B by injections (5.5mg/kg body weight). The treatment was constantly continued for 5days and days 7 and 21. At the end of the study, serum level of TAC, TOS, MDA, liver enzyme activity (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH), renal factors (urea, uric acid, and creatinine), lipid profile as well as histopathological changes of the liver and kidney were investigated. AmB significantly increased serum level of creatinine, urea, uric acid, ALP, TOS, MDA, and kidney and renal tissue damage (p < 0.05). Supplementation AmB with vitamins A and E alone or combination improved oxidative stress status, liver and renal tissue structure, and functional parameters and serum lipid profile. This study highlighted the effects of vitamin A and vitamin E on attenuation of amphotericin B-induced side effects on the kidney and liver of male Wistar rats. Combination of the two vitamins is more effective than either alone improving the oxidative stress status, serum lipid profile, or liver and renal tissue structure and functional parameters.

Intraperitoneal injections of copper ferrite nanoparticles disturb blood, plasma, and antioxidant parameters of Wistar rats in a sex-specific manner.

The present study was designed to report the synthesis and characterization of copper ferrite nanoparticles (CF NPs) and their biocompatibility in Wistar rats. Coprecipitation method was used to generate CF NPs having average diameter of 14.06 nm. NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Six-week-old Wistar rats of both sexes intraperitoneally received 10 mg/ml saline/Kg body weight of CF NPs for 14 days. Control groups were maintained in parallel that received saline solution for 14 days through same route. Open field and novel object recognition tests, complete blood count, selected plasma parameters, antioxidants, and copper concentration in vital organs were determined in all treatments. Female rats treated with CF NPs had significantly higher platelet count (P = 0.05) and platelet crit (P = 0.05) and decreased plasma triglyceride concentration levels (P = 0.02) than control group. Female rats had significantly increased levels of superoxide dismutase (P = 0.01), catalase (P = 0.05), and malonaldehyde (P = 0.05) in the kidney, while male rats had significantly elevated levels of superoxide dismutase in the lungs (P = 0.01) as compared with respective control groups. Copper concentrations in the liver were significantly higher in both female (P = 0.04) and male (P = 0.05) rats exposed to CF NPs than control group. All other studied parameters of behavioral tests, blood biochemistry, antioxidant, and copper concentrations in the brain varied nonsignificantly (P > 0.05) when compared between CF NPs treated and untreated rats of both sexes. Intraperitoneal supplementation of CF NPs for 14 days disturbed the platelet count, plasma triglyceride concentration, copper levels in the liver, and antioxidant concentrations in the kidney of female Wistar rats. These parameters remained unaffected in male subjects.

Serum electrolytes and renal histology of Wistar rats treated with seed extract of &lt;i&gt;Citrullus lanatus&lt;/i&gt;

Medicinal plants are frequently used in healthcare delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world because of their bioactive compounds, thus accounting for about 80% of African medicine. The kidneys are involved in one of the body’s most important homeostasis. This study evaluated the effects of Citrullus lanatus fruit juice on serum electrolytes and histology of the kidney in Wistar rats. Seventy (70) male Wistar rats were used for the study and categorized into four groups (n=9). Group 1 (control group) were fed with growers mash and water only. Animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 2.5 mg/kg, 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg of the extract along with growers mash respectively. Findings showed a dose dependent increase in bodyweight (expressed in percentage) in all groups. There was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) in serum Na+, Cl-, creatinine, HCO3 and urea in animals given watermelon seed extract (81.69±13.08; 85.22±8.25; 4.80±0.04; 27.78±5.48; 7.05±0.25) when compared with control group (102.62±7.40; 86.78±7.61; 26.90±2.46; 7.52±0.59; 28.26±5.24). However, there was significant increase in serum K+ level in animals given watermelon seed extract of 2.5 ml/kg group (3.77±0.12) when compared with control group (3.49±0.08). In addition, significant increase was observed in urea level in 2.5 ml/kg experimental animals (49.27±7.38) when compared with control (28.26±5.24). In conclusion, administration of Citrullus lanatus seed extract did not affect serum electrolytes level, except serum potassium, however, it caused an increase in the bodyweight of Wistar rats but show no significant alteration in histological architecture of the kidney when compared to control.&#x0D; Keywords: Serum electrolyte; Renal histology; Citrullus lanatus

Activation of the AMP-related kinase (AMPK) induces renal vasodilatation and downregulates Nox-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor activated during energy stress to stimulate ATP production pathways and restore homeostasis. AMPK is widely expressed in the kidney and involved in mitochondrial protection and biogenesis upon acute renal ischemia, AMPK activity being blunted in metabolic disease-associated kidney disease. Since little is known about AMPK in the regulation of renal blood flow, the present study aimed to assess the role of AMPK in renal vascular function. Functional responses to the selective AMPK activator A769662 were assessed in intrarenal small arteries isolated from the kidney of renal tumour patients and Wistar rats and mounted in microvascular myographs to perform simultaneous measurements of intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i and tension. Superoxide (O2.-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production were measured by chemiluminescence and fluorescence and protein expression by Western blot. Activation of AMPK with A769662 increased AMPKα phosphorylation at Thr-172 and induced potent relaxations compared to AICAR in isolated human and rat intrarenal arteries, through both endothelium-dependent mechanisms involving nitric oxide (NO) and intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium (IKCa) channels, as well as activation of ATP-sensitive (KATP) channels and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) in vascular smooth muscle (VSM). Furthermore, AMPK activator reduced NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and Nox2-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These results demonstrate that A769662 has potent vasodilator and antioxidant effects in intrarenal arteries. The benefits of AMPK activation in rat kidney are reproduced in human arteries and therefore vascular AMPK activation might be a therapeutic target in the treatment of metabolic disease-associated kidney injury.