Protective role of folic acid against iron induced nephrotoxicity in rat female offspring

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy exhibits increased susceptibility to oxidative stress that may resulting in potential damage. Supplementation with iron is recommended during pregnancy to meet the demands of both the mother and rapidly growing foetus however excess free iron may induced oxidative stress and through cascade of iron release and free radical production causing extensive cell damage. Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy has been associated with decreased occurrence and recurrence of neural tube defects. The aim of this work was to study the histological changes that was induced by iron supplementation of pregnant female rats in the kidney of rat offsprings and potential protective role of folic acid administration. Thirty [30] pregnant female albino rats was included in the study and was divided into three groups. Group [1] was included [10] rats and taken as a control, Group [2] was included [10] rats and was given iron gluconate in a dose of 50 mg/kg during the period of 6-16 days of pregnancy and Group [3] was included [10] rats and was given iron gluconate as well as folic acid 4 mg/kg during the same period. The off springs of pregnant female rats were anaesthetized with ether and perfused with fixative solution. Then the kidneys were extracted. Slices of renal tissues were carefully dissected and fixed in 5% buffered glutardehyde and electron microscopic technique was made and semithin and ultrathin sections were obtained and examined by light and electron microscopice. Results revealed reduction of mean glomerular diameter, mean diameter of both proximal convoluted tubules [PCT] and distal convoluted tubules [DCT] in offsprings of group [2] of iron treated group, also there was dark cells with deep pyknotic nuclei of the glomerulr mesangial matrix. electron microscopic study revealed also that the brush border of proximal convoluted tubules was disrupted with vacuolation of cytoplasm and degeneration of mitochondriae, on the other hand of folic acid administration druing pregnancy in group [3] revealed that these changes were improved markedly in the newlyborn off springs. Iron induced renal oxidative stress in the off springs of pregnant female rats and routine use during pregnancy shouldn't advised and should e reserved only to anemic women - folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is recommended to protect against oxidative stress that was induced by iron or other oxygen free radicals