Some protective effects of lemon juice on ethylene glycol and amonium chloride induced kidney damage in adult Wistar rats

Abstract

The present study assessed the effect of various lemon juice concentrations on ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride induced kidney damage in Adult Wistar rats. In the study, a total of 36 adult male and female Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly separated into 6 groups of 6 rats each. Group A served as control group and have access to normal food and distilled water. Group B was given 0.75% of ethylene glycol and 2% ammonium chloride as their drinking water with normal food and they were not treated. Group C served as a withdrawal group and were given ethylene glycol & ammonium chloride without being treated and was left for two weeks extra with normal food and distilled water. Group D was induced with 0.75% ethylene glycol and 2% ammonium chloride as their drinking water and was treated with 60% of lemon juice. Group E was given 0.75% ethylene glycol and 2% ammonium chloride as their drinking water and was treated with 80% of lemon juice. Group F was given 0.75ethylene glycol and 2% ammonium chloride as their drinking water and was treated with 100% of lemon juice. At the end of the 14 days, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The general histopathology evaluation of the kidney revealed the histoarchitecture of the kidney, with the effects varying based on the doses administered and experimental set up. The sections of the kidney from the control group A showed normal histological features. The glomerulus is normal, proximal and distal convoluted tubules are organized. The bowmans space is normal. The sections from the rats in Group B, showed glomerular injury and enlarged glomerular space. The proximal and distal convoluted tubule were not organized. Sections from the rats in Group C showed partial recovery of the glomeruli compared with Group B. Section from the group D also showed distorted glomerulus, enlarged glomerular space and disorganized proximal convoluted tubule and distal convoluted tubule. The sections from the rats in Group E showed normal glomerulus, Bowman s capsule, proximal convoluted tubule and distal convoluted tubule. Sections from the rats in Group F showed some preservation of histological features improved glomerular structure. Distal and Proximal convoluted tubule appear normal. Aspartate Amino transferase showed a significantly difference (P<0.05) in group B, C, D and E. Alanine aminotransferase also showed a significant increase in group B treated with ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride, and a significant decrease in group C (Withdrawal group) also group F treated with ethylene glycol, ammonium chloride and 100% lemon juice showed a significant decrease (P<0.05). Group D and E showed a significant decrease. Alkaline phosphatase showed a significant increase in Group B and F compared with group A (P<0.05). Creatine showed a significant increase in Group B &D alone while urea also showed a significant increase in Group B& D and significant decrease in Group E (P<0.05). The present study concluded that that the administration of lemon juice effectively prevented the development of urolithiasis in rats. These findings support the use of lemon juice as an alternative medicine to prevent urolithiasis.