The impact of Pumpkin treatment on TCDD-induced nephrotoxicity in Wister albino rats: biochemical and histopathological studies

Abstract

Dynamic economical and industrial expansion lead to environmental contamination and pollution with increasing amounts of harmful agents. Recently, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) have received much attention due to their widespread occurrence, high levels of toxicity, and the significant threat these compounds pose to humans. In this study, we investigated renal toxicity of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-pdioxin (TCDD) and explained the role of pumpkin seed oil in modulating TCDD toxicity in the kidney of Wister albino rats. Thirty male and female Wister rats were divided into three isolated groups ten animal each. Group 1 (G1) served as normal control, group 2 (G2), rats were received single intraperitoneal dose of TCDD (2μg/kg b.w. dissolved in corn oil), while group 3 (G3), rats were treated with oral pumpkin seed oil (PO) (1.5 ml/kg b.w. day after day) after TCDD treatment (same as group II). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis and kidney tissue samples for histological examination. our investigation revealed that, TCDD induced significant increase (P<0.01) in urea level and significant increase in creatinine level (P<0.05) in comparison to control group. TCDD treated rats showed series of renal histopathological alterations present mostly in renal vasculature associated with severe degeneration and necrosis of renal tubular epithelium. The previous mentioned lesions were reported much more prominent in renal medulla than in renal cortex. Interestingly, PO treated group showed significant increase (P<0.001) in urea level and significant decrease (P<0.05) in comparison with TCDD group. PO treatment ameliorates these biochemical and pathological changes in renal tissue. In conclusion, exposure to 2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD led to serious toxic effects in renal tissue and treatment with PO could diminish this toxicity to an improved extend.