NEPHROTOXICITY OF RADIOGRAPHIC FIXER EFFLUENT IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Anthony C Ugwu, Uchechukwu Dimkpa, Blessing O Ijabor, Edwin O Ewunonu, Albert N Eteudo

Background: Limited information exists concerning the cellular changes associated with toxicity of fixer effluents on kidney tissues. Objectives: The present study aimed at demonstrating the histopathological changes in the kidney tissues of wistar rats following exposure to fixer effluent. Materials and Methods: Eighteen young Wistar rats of weights 140-250g were divided into three groups. The control group was sub-divided into two groups of 3 rats each and orally administered with 1ml of distilled water daily for 14 days and 28 days respectively; each of the experimental groups II and III were further divided into two sub-groups of three rats each administered with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of fixer effluent daily for 14 days and 28 days respectively. Results: Histopathological findings indicated normal kidney tissues in the control group. In contrast, close adherence of the glomeruli to the Bowman’s capsule was observed in groups IIA and IIIB. The glomeruli and renal interstitium appeared distorted in groups IIIA and IIIB. There were signs of glomerular necrosis in groups IIA and IIIB. In addition, inflammatory cell infiltrate within the tuft and stroma of renal interstitium, dense colloid materials on renal tubules and atrophy of tubular epithelium were observed in group IIIB. Conclusions: This study indicated adverse effects of acute/chronic and long-term/short-term exposures to sub-lethal doses of fixer effluent on Wistar rats’ kidneys. Some of the histopathologic effects were marked in long-term and chronic exposures compared to short-term and acute exposures, thus indicating dose and duration-dependent effects of fixer effluent on kidney tissues of rats.