Histo-biochemical Assessment of Paraquat-induced Nephrotoxicity in Pregnant Wistar Rats and their Foetuses

Ehizokhale ES; Orororo OC; Enaohwo TM; Ahama EE; Odeghe OB; Egbune EG; Odokuma EI; Ebeye AO

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i1.932

Authors

Ehizokhale ES Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka
Orororo OC Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9217-1530
Enaohwo TM Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka
Ahama EE Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka
Odeghe OB Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka
Egbune EG Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka
Odokuma EI Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka
Ebeye AO Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i1.932

Keywords:

Paraquat, Kidney, Oxidative Stress, Urea, Creatinine

Abstract

Bacground: The common pesticide paraquat dichloride is well-known for being poisonous and possibly harmful to human health. There is, however, little data regarding paraquat's effects on the kidneys of pregnant women and fetuses. Thus, the effect of paraquat on the kidneys of pregnant Wistar rats and their fetuses was examined in this study.

Materials and Methods: Forty (40) pregnant Wistar rats were used. Following pregnancy confirmation, the rats were divided into three experimental groups (n=10) and a control group. These groups were given different dosages of the herbicide (1 mg/ml/kg.bw, 2.5 mg/ml/kg.bw, and 5 mg/ml/kg.bw). At the end of each trimester, three rats were removed from each group and sacrificed on days 7, 14, and 21, respectively. To look into nephrotoxic consequences, biochemical analysis of blood samples as well as to histologic evaluations were carried out.

Results: Weight gain was higher in the third trimester compared to the scond and first trimesters. In the first trimester, there was no discernible variation in the kidney weight between the groups. The weight of the kidneys changed significantly in those from the second and third trimesters (p<0.05). An inflammatory reaction to injury was indicated by the histological data from the pragnant rats' abduction, which showed modest to severe renal parenchymal architectural changes. The most substantial effects (fibrosis) were caused by the highest dose (5 mg/ml/kg.bw), and these alterations were time-dependent. Due to the minimal dosage of paraquat that reached the fetuses, the kidney segment of the fetuses did not exhibit any histological alterations. Hematological tests, urea and creatinine, and electrolytess displayed statistically significant differences across the groups and trimesters compared to the control.

Conclusion: This study showed that pregnant Wistar rats exposed to paraquat experience dose-dependent inflammatory damage to their kidneys. In addition, exposure to PQ was shown to cause histological lesion in the kidney of pregnant wistar rats. and these alterations were time-dependent, even though the kidney segment of the fetuses did not exhibit any histological alterations as a result of the minimal dosage of paraquat that reached them.