Histopathological changes associated with exposure to some toxic heavy metals in kidneys of albino wistar rats

Abstract

Heavy metals are the most toxic substances of global concern. Since they are not biodegradable they tend to bioaccumulate in the environment producing toxic effects to both plants and animals even in low concentrations resulting in genomic instability. This study was therefore aimed at assessing the histopathological changes associated with exposure of some toxic heavy metals in kidneys of albino wistar rats. Thirty albino wistar rats were used for this study and divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each and were administered 1/10 of the determined LD₅₀ of the respective heavy metal salts of Lead acetate, Chromium sulphide, Cadmium chloride, Arsenic trioxide and Mercury chloride for groups 2,3,4,5 and 6 respectively daily. Group 1 served as the control was given commercial rat chow and water ad libitum. At the end of 45 days animals were sacrificed and kidneys collected for histological assessment using H & E staining technique. All the groups exposed to heavy metals showed histological alterations to include: degenerating tubules with vacuolated ductal and tubular shrinking nuclei, there were also hemorrhagic blood vessels within the renal cortical matrix. In conclusion heavy metal intoxication has been shown to cause histopathological changes in the kidney of experimental rat models.