HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF VITAMIN-C PROTECTION AGAINST CD-NEPHROTOXICITY IN GUINEA-PIGS

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.