Evaluating the Ameliorative Effect of Glycine on Cadmium-Induced Kidney Damage in Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

The escalating exposure to heavy metals due to industrialization and anthropogenic activities has led to adverse health effects. Cadmium is one such heavy metal that can accumulate in biological organisms and disrupt cellular functions. Glycine, an amino acid and a neurotransmitter in the brain, has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which have been studied by some researchers. Hence the objectives of this paper was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of glycine on cadmium-induced kidney damage in adult Wistar rats using standard technique. There was significant decrease (P˂0.05) in body weight of rats treated with 10 mg/kg body weight of cadmium when compared to control. No significant change (P˃0.05) in serum Na⁺, K⁺ and Cr levels in both Cadmium and Glycine treated groups when compared to control. However, administration of Cadmium showed features of tubular necrosis, interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, vascular hypertrophy and interstitial congestion in treated rats which were reversed with treatment with Glycine. Focal tubular necrosis was seen in kidney of rat treated with Cadmium and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Glycine. This study demonstrates that Glycine at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight has an ameliorative and anti-oxidant effect against Cadmium-induced kidney damage in adult Wistar rats.