Ultrastructural study on the effect of lithium carbonate administration on the kidney of adult male albino rat

ABSTRACT

Twenty-five adult male albino rats weighing 150-200 gm were used in this study. The animals were divided into five groups of five animals each. The results after intake of the therapeutic dose revealed fusion of the minor feet processes of the podocytes and apparent increase in the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane in comparison with the control group. Both proximal and distal convoluted tubules showed disappearance of their basal infoldings and evident mitochondrial degeneration in the form of swelling and loss of their cristae and dilated cisternae of rER were also noticed. In addition, microvilli of proximal convoluted tubules were lost in focal areas. The same changes, but in more severe form, were noticed after the intake of the toxic dose. In addition, there were tubular nuclear changes in the form of irregularity of contour, pyknosis or decreased density of chromatin