ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to evaluate the role of beta carotene on histomorphology of rat kidneys in subacute Acetaminophen [APAP]-induced renal damage. Lab based randomized control trial. The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy Army Medical College, I Rawalpindi; in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad for one week in June 2009. Sixty young adult [4-6 weeks old] Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes weighing 180-240 g were randomized into three groups. Experimental group A was treated with 700 mg/kg body weight subacute APAP orally once daily for 7'consecutive days. Experimental group B was administered beta carotene 30 mg/kg body weight once daily one hour before 700 mg/kg body weight subacute APAP once daily for 7 consecutive days. Control group C animals were fed NIH laboratory diet. Kidney specimens were collected 24 hours after the last dose. Five micron thick sections of kidney were stained with H and E for histomorphological study. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to describe the variables p values less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Microscopic examination in experimental group A demonstrated tubular necrosis of level 2 [35% animals] and level 3 [65% animals]. Mild vacuolar degeneration was also observed in 90% of the experimental group A animals. In experimental group B, there was statistically significant difference p-value < 0.001 in levels of renal tubular necrosis [15% animals] and grades of vacuolar degeneration [5% animals] as compared to experimental group A. Findings in experimental group B were not significantly different from that of control group C. Beta carotene has protective role on histomorphology of kidneys in subacute APAP-induced renal damage in rats