Research Article LEAD ACETATE INDUCED HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN RENAL TISSUE OF BALB-C MICE (MUS MUSCULUS)

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the histological alterations induced by lead intoxication in the mice kidney. Eighteen mice (20-24g body weight) were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. First group served as control and was given normal saline solution as vehicle. The second and third groups were orally administered (10 and 150 mg/kg body weight) lead acetate respectively for 40 days. After 40 days of lead acetate treatment, 3 mice from each group were sacrificed and the rest were left for 80 days without any supplement. Kidneys were excised for histological studies. The findings indicated that chronic exposure to subtoxic concentrations of lead acetate produced progressive tubular, glomerular and interstitial damage that include tubular dilation, vacuolar degeneration, atrophy of glomerular tuft, interstitial edema and congestion of blood capillaries. Lesions were more pronounced in animals exposed to high dose. However mice at 80 days showed improvements in lead induced histopathological alterations. The severity of lesions of lead toxicity depends on the dose of lead and period of exposure