Amelioration of Cadmium-Induced Nephropathy using Polyphenol-rich Extract of Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) Leaves in Rat Model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of polyphenol-rich extract of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (PEVA) in rats with Cd-induced nephropathy.


METHODS
Sixty five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows; Group 1 received distilled water throughout the period of study. Group 2 received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium (Cd), in the form of CdSO4, for five consecutive days via intraperitoneal route. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were pretreated with Cd as group 2 and thereafter received oral treatment of PEVA for 4 weeks at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively.


RESULTS
Exposure to Cd toxicity significantly induced deleterious alterations in plasma and urine levels of creatinine, urea and glucose as well as creatinine and urea clearance (p < 0.05) in the rat model. There was a significant disturbance in the antioxidant system as revealed by the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05) in the kidney tissue of the rats. With marked improvements in renal histoarchitecture, PEVA treatment showed a duration and non dose-dependent ameliorative potential.


CONCLUSIONS
PEVA treatment reversed the compromise of renal function that was induced by Cd toxicity in rat model.
Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Physiological Sciences, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Christian E
CE
Imafidon
Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Physiological Sciences, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Rufus O
RO
Akomolafe
Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Medicine, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Sanusi A
SA
Abubakar
Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Physiological Sciences, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Oluwadare J
OJ
Ogundipe
Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Physiological Sciences, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Olaoluwa S
OS
Olukiran
Afe Babalola University - Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria.
Oladele A
OA
Ayowole
Ameliorative; Cadmium; Creatinine clearance; Nephrotoxicity; Polyphenol - Rich Extract of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (PEVA); Rats