The effects of sub-acute oral lead administration on the histology of the kidney and some renal parameters in adult Wistar rats

Newer sources of lead are being discovered on daily bases; likewise, the prevalence of kidney diseases is increasing hence the need to look at the effect of lead as a predisposing factor to kidney diseases. The present study was aimed at determining the effect of lead on the histology of kidney and some renal parameters. A total of 20 adult male Wistar rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group I, II, III and IV received 1ml of distilled water, 60mg/kg, 120mg/kg and 180 mg/kg bwt of lead (II) acetate respectively, orally for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed after ketamine injection (50 mg/kg bwt) intraperitonially and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Routine histological technique was used for tissue processing and tissue were stain using hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E) and periodic acid schiff stain (PAS). The histological features showed distortion in normal membrane and glomerulus, fibrosis of mesangial cells and macular denser in a dose-dependent manner. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in the concentrations of creatinine, urea, iron and potassium in Groups II, III, and IV. However, a decrease in sodium, calcium, carbonate and total protein was observed. In conclusion, sub-acute oral lead administration caused dose-dependent renal histopathological and biochemical changes in the treated groups in adult male Wistar rats.

Key Words: Histology, Kidney, Lead, Renal parameter and sub-acute