effects of toluene on rat kidney

occupational exposure to toluene is associated with development and progression of renal failure. however, the cellular mechanisms by which these agents cause renal dysfunction and injury remain elusive. the present study investigates the effect of toluene on animal model (rat) kidney to present a broader understanding of the mechanism by which toluene causes renal injury. adult male rats received toluene at doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg for seven consecutive days. control group received vehicle only, and 24 hours later, animals were euthanized with overdose of sodium pentobarbital. blood was collected for determination of bun and creatinine (cr). kidney tissues were removed, fixed and processed for light microscopy and determination of glutathione (gsh). ten animals were used for each group. biochemical and histopathological observations indicated that toluene produced injury in the kidney. statistical analysis indicated significantly increased bun, cr and decreased gsh levels as compared to control values. toluene induced dose-dependent injury in kidney. the finding that toluene induced injury in proximal convoluted tubular cells suggests that kidney may metabolize toluene in situ to a nephrotoxic metabolite. the observation that toluene depleted gsh level in kidney support the view that generation of oxidative stress is responsible for its toxicity.