Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Changes in the Renal Cortex of Cadmium-Treated Rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the cadmium-induced immunohistochemical and morphological changes in the renal cortex of adult male rats exposed to high doses of cadmium for 30 d. Animals used as controls received a standard diet and water ad libitum. The animals used for this study received 15 ppm CdCl2 in their drinking water for 1 mo. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), the mean blood Cd level, and the mean tissue Cd content were significantly higher when compared to controls (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated a weak labeling to type IV collagen and laminin, but a strong labeling to fibronectin in the renal cortex of the Cd-treated animals when compared to controls. The ultrastructural alterations found in Cd-treated rats were a diminution in the amount of filtration slits, increased fusion of foot processes in epithelial cells of the glomeruli, increase of lysosomal structures and pinocytic vesicles as well as large mitochondria in proximal tubule cells, and degenerated cells in distal tubules. Additionally, the glomerular basement membrane was slightly thickened. In conclusion, cadmium toxicity results in alterations in the renal extracellular matrix and tubular or glomerular cells, which could play an important role in renal dysfunction.

Ultrastructural Changes in the Kidney of Rats with Acute Exposure to Cadmium and Effects of Exogenous Metallothionein

“…Cadmium at various doses causes myelin figures; increased lysosomes; ring-shaped mitochondria; vesiculation; nuclei with dense, perinuclear chromatin [32]; and loss of microvillus [33] in the epithelia of the tubules. Immune fibronectin staining of the extracellular matrix increases [12]. Glomeruli showed increased glomerular basement membrane, irregular foot processes [12,34], widening of filtering space, and thickening of capillary vessels [35].…”

“…The principal target of cadmium is renal proximal tubules. However, it can affect distal tubules and glomerular structures as well [12][13][14]. One of the tissue protection mechanisms against the toxic effects of cadmium is metallothionein (MT) synthesis.…”

Protective Effect of Quercetin Against Renal Toxicity Induced by Cadmium in Rats

“…It has been found that Cd produces various pathological conditions, including hepatic and renal dysfunctions, testicular damage, and respiratory and nervous system disorders (13, 14, 16,17). Cd induced chronic toxicity has been shown as histological and ultrastructural by various investigators in experiments using various species of animals (18,19). During acute exposure, Cd-induced necrosis and cellular damage are produced in the kidney, liver and testicular tissue; chronic exposure results in damage to the kidney, pancreas, and bone (20).…”

Protective Effects of Zinc on Testes of Cadmium-Treated Rats

“…The second group received 15 ppm cadmium chloride monohydrate (CdCl 2, Himedia, India), and the third group received 15 ppm CdCl 2 ? 30 ppm zinc chloride (ZnCl 2, Carlo Erba, Italy) via drinking water (Asar et al 2004). Fluid intake was monitored every Toluidine blue staining was used two days.…”