Despite the reports on safety concerns regarding the relationship between aluminum salts and neurological and bone disease, many countries continue to use aluminum as phosphate binders among patients with renal failure. In search for a diet supplement that could reduce aluminum toxicity related to renal failure, we carried out this prospective animal study in which the fenugreek seeds were assessed for their effects on rats nephrotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Oral AlCl3 administration during 5 months (500 mg/kg bw i.g for one month then 1600 ppm via drinking water) led to plasma biochemical changes, an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a decrease of total antioxidant status (TAS), and an induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the blood and brain, in addition to kidney atrophy and morphological alterations at the level of Bowman's capsule, the glomerulus and different sorts of tubules, reminiscent of some known kidney disease. The treatment with the whole fenugreek seed powder (FSP) (5% in the diet) during the last 2 months showed its effectiveness in restoring normal plasma values of urea, creatinine, ALP and glucose, as well as re-increasing the TAS, inhibiting LPO and alleviating histopathological changes in the injured kidneys. This study highlights the induced nephrotoxicicity, as well as the related toxicity in the brain and bone, by chronic oral ingestion of the aluminum salts. However, the maintenance of a diet supplemented with fenugreek seeds could offer protection for the kidney, bone and brain, at the same time.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aluminum Compounds ; Aluminum* ; Animals ; Atrophy ; Bone Diseases ; Bowman Capsule ; Brain ; Chlorides ; Creatinine ; Diet ; Drinking ; Eating ; Glucose ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Rats* ; Renal Insufficiency* ; Salts ; Trigonella* ; Urea

OBJECTIVETo evaluate histopathological alterations of the liver and kidney of female rats exposed to low doses of DM and its potential genotoxic activity.

METHODSFemale Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (3 groups, 6 rats in each) and treatment groups (3 groups, 6 rats in each). They were subjected to subcutaneous injections of DM (at doses of 0.003, 0.03, and 0.3 mg/kg bw/d) after 30, 45, and 60 d, respectively.

RESULTSSignificant alterations were recorded in liver parenchyma induced by hepatic vacuolization, fragmented chromatin in nuclei, dilatation of sinusoids and congestions. Lesions within proximal and distal tubules were observed in the kidneys. Tissue congestions and severe alterations within glomeruli were visible. DM as a pyrethroid insecticide induced significant increase (P≤0.05) of plasma MDA concentrations after 45 d. A significant increase (P≤0.05) in plasma ALT (after 45 and 60 d) and AST (after 60 d) concentrations was recorded as compared to controls. During the whole experimental period the toxic agent provoked significant DNA damages (P≤0.05), especially in the dominance of classes 3 and 4 of obtained comet.

CONCLUSIONDM even at a very low dose displays harmful effects by disrupting hepatic and renal function and causing DNA damages in puberscent female rats. Low doses of DM are hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic.

Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Creatinine ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Insecticides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; Molecular Structure ; Nitriles ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Organ Size ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pyrethrins ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Urea ; blood ; Weight Gain ; drug effects