Histopathological Changes in the Kidney of Albino Rat due to Chromium and the Ameliorative Role of α-Tocopherol

Abstract

Introduction: Potassium dichromate, a chromium {Cr(VI)} compound is the most toxic form of Cr(VI) which causes nephrotoxicity associated with oxidative stress in animals and humans. The study of toxicity and biological effects associated with chromium has generated a lot of interest due to its wider distribution in the environment and its use. Aim: To study the potassium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity and ameliorative role of vitamin E in albino rats. Materials and Methods: The present experimental study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. Study population consisted of 36 albino rats which were randomly divided into four equal groups (n=9, each). Group I served as control while groups II and III were administered Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) dissolved in sterile distilled water 10 mg/kg body weight single dose orally for 1, 14 and 42 days, 3 rats in each sub-groups. In addition to Cr(VI), group III also received α-tocopherol 125 mg/kg body weight daily orally. Group IV rats were maintained as α-tocopherol control and they received α-tocopherol as above daily for 42 days. At the end of 1, 14 and 42 days, all the rats were sacrificed for the estimation of the histopathological changes in kidney. The Z-proportion test was used for evaluation of data. Results: Thirt-six albino rats of both sex, age about 60 days weighing approximately 140±10 gm were studied. Prominent pathological changes like glomerular mesangial proliferation and obliteration of bowman’s space were observed in the kidney of group II rats. Co-treatment with α-tocopherol in group III significantly reversed the Cr(VI) induced changes with a p-value=0.009 and 0.007 for glomerular mesangial proliferation and obliteration of bowman’s space respectively. Conclusion: The α-tocopherol exhibited protective effect against Cr(VI) induced damage to the kidney.