Stereological Survey of the Effect of Vitamin C on Neonatal Rat Kidney Tissue Treated With Acrylamide

Background and Objectives: Acrylamide (ACR) is a known carcinogenic chemical agent found in some foods at considerably high concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of vitamin C as an antioxidant on kidney tissue in rats treated with ACR. Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats (200-220 grams) were divided into 4 groups (n=5) of control group, ACR group, vitamin C group and ACR+vitamin C group. Pregnant rats were orally administered 10 mg/kg ACR and/or 200 mg/kg vitamin C. Six infants at day 21 after birth were randomly selected and weighted and placed under deep anesthesia. Their right kidneys were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosine and periodic acid staining and studied using stereological methods. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA and LSD test and means difference were considered significant at P<0.05. Results: Mean body weight, kidney weight, kidney volume, the volume of cortex and medulla, number of glomeruli and thickness of medulla significantly decreased in ACR group compared to the controls (P<0.001). The thickness of cortex also decreased in ACR group compared to the control group (P<0.05). In vitamin C group, body weight, kidney volume and number of glomeruli increased compared to the control group (P<0.001). In vitamin C group, increased kidney weight, thickness of medulla, volume of cortex and glomeruli were observed compared to the control (P<0.05). In ACR+vitamin C group, this reduction was less significant compared to the ACR group. Conclusion: Vitamin C as an antioxidant can protect the kidneys from ACR induced tissue damage.