EFFECT OF FOLIC ACID ON L-THYROXIN INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Saber A. Sakr*, Ehab Tousson, Somya Y. Shalaby, Mohamed Rabea

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluated the biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical alterations in kidney of rats treated with L-thyroxin. Additionally, the ameliorating role of folic acid supplementation was investigated. The results showed that there was a significant increase in plasma T3, T4, creatinine, urea, MDA and nitric oxide in L-thyroxin treated rats as compared to control group. On the other hand, a significant decrease in TSH, glutathione (GSH) was recorded in L-thyroxin treated rats as compared to control group. Histological results revealed that kidney of L-thyroxin treated rats showed histopathological lesions such as leucocytic infiltrations, swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolation of the epithelial lining of the tubules and congestion of blood vessels. Most of the glomeruli were atrophied. Immunohistochemical results revealed that strong positive expression of PCNA was detected in the kidney tubules in L-thyroxin treated rats. Treating animals with L-thyroxin and folic acid leads to decrease in T3, T4, urea, MDA and nitric oxide. On the other hand, a significant increase in TSH and glutathione and improvements in histopatholigical alterations of the kidney was recorded. It is concluded that folic acid has antioxidant effects leading to amelioration of L-thyroxin toxicity.

Keywords: Hyperthyroidism, L-thyroxin, kidney, histopathology, PCNA, oxidative stress.