ABSTRACT
Purpose: To analyze the effects of Cyclosporin A on Proximal and Distal convoluted tubules of kidneys when given in therapeutic doses during gestation
Materials and Methods: Twelve pregnant mice were divided into two groups, having six animals each. Control group A was given daily subcutaneous injection of normal saline for 18 days during gestation. The Experimental group B was subjected to daily subcutaneous injections of 50 mg/kg CsA for 18 days during gestation. The pregnant mice were sacrificed on 18 days of gestation. The fetal kidneys were dissected and fixed in 10% formalin for histological examination
Results: The nephrogenic zone was disorganized, thicker and composed of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, indicating impairment of nephrogenesis. Proximal convoluted tubules of CsA treated groups showed excessive vacuolar degenerative changes in epithelial cell, the score for tubular vacuolization was 2.03+/- 0.42 in experimental group and 0.80 +/- 0.61 in control groups respectively [p<0.000]. Majority of components of tubular system, including convoluted tubules and loops of henle showed atrophic changes; they were dilated and distorted having thickened basement membrane with no brush border. The tubular atrophic score was higher [1.82 +/- 0.38] in experimental group and [0.00 +/- 0.00,] in control group
Conclusion: The current study investigated the effects of CsA given to mice during intrauterine life in therapeutic doses. The work clearly illustrated harmful effects of the drug leading to statistically significant histological changes which included tubular vacuolization and tubular atrophy suggestive of fetal nephrotoxicity and may eventually lead to renal failure. It might produce comparable effects in human conceptuses after intake of CsA by pregnant mothers