Effect of vitamin E on biochemical and ultrastructural changes in acrylamide-induced renal toxicity in rats

Background: Acrylamide (ACR) is a widely used chemical in industry and it accounts for major health problems as it has been detected in highly consumed food items, carbohydrate-rich food items cooked at high temperature. Accordingly the population is highly exposed to ACR. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of vitamin E on biochemical and ultrastructure changes in acrylamide-induced renal toxicity in wistar albino rats. Methods: Three groups of adult albino wistar rats weighing about (200-250 gm) were used in this study to investigate the effect of vitamin E on acrylamide induced renal toxicity; 10 rats in each group; Group I: Control group, Group II: Acrylamide treated and Group III: Acrylamide-Vit E treated group. Blood samples were collected for estimation of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and albumin. Kidneys specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic studies. Kidney sections were stained with HE tubules lining cells showed loss of microvilli, basal membrane in foldings and mitochondrial changes. Podocytic changes include: Vacuolation, irregularity and disorientation of their processes and thinning of glomerular basement membrane. Significant increase in the mean number of NF-kβp65 positive cells and decrease in the mean area% of Bcl-2 immuno-expression, increase in the mean area % of collagen fibers and urinary space diameter and decrease in thickness of epithelial cells of PCT and DCT were also observed. Serum creatinine, BUN anLDH were increased whereas serum albumin was decreased. Vitamin E co-administration with ACR improve all these histological, ultrastructural and biochemical changes. Conclusions: Acrylamide induced renal toxicity could be ameliorated by vitamin E co-administration.