A. Nagyova et al., HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF VITAMIN-C PROTECTION AGAINST CD-NEPHROTOXICITY IN GUINEA-PIGS, Experimental and toxicologic pathology, 46(1), 1994, pp. 11-14
The critical organ of chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure are kidneys. Long-
term exposure leads to Cd accumulation in kidneys and causes renal tub
ular dysfunctions. Cd-induced renal changes are irreversible, so the p
rimary prevention by different nutrients can play an important role. I
n this study, male guinea pigs which, like humans, do not synthetize a
scorbic acid (AA) received low (2 mg/animal/day) or high (100 mg/anima
l/day) dosage of AA and cadmium (1 mg Cd/animal/day) in drinking water
for 12 weeks. Characteristic finding in renal morphology of Cd-intoxi
cated guinea pigs was dilatation of interstitial veins with apparent p
aravenous lymphatic infiltrates. Histomorphological changes were more
evident in Cd-intoxicated guinea pigs with low AA intake. High AA inta
ke apparently reduced in Cd-in toxicated guinea pigs the extent of ren
al damage. Cadmium significantly increased serum creatinine and urea l
evels in the group of guinea pigs with low AA intake but not in guinea
pigs receiving high concentration of AA. The results showed that AA c
an be effective in the protection of Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.