Publications of Faculty of Medicine:RENAL MALONDIALDEHYDE, GLUTATHIONE AND GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE IN RATS WITH MERCURIC CHLORIDE-INDUCED RENAL DAMAGE: A POSSIBLE PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT FOR VITAMIN C: Abstract

Mercuric chloride (HgC12) has a potent nephrotoxic effect, so, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between HgC12 with glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation to determine biochemical markers of HgCl2 induced renal damage and also to evaluate the effect of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as a prophylactic measure on HgC12 toxicity in rats. This study included 100 adult male albino rats weighing 250-300g and were divided into 5 groups, each containing 20 rats. Group(I) acts as a control group. In group (II),rats were injected intraperitonealy (i.p.) with ascorbic acid in a single dose of 45 mg/100g body weight. In group (Ill), rats were injected s.c. with HgC12 in a single dose of I mg/100g body weight. In group (IV), rats were injected s.c. with HgC12 in a smaller dose of 0.5 mg/100 g body weight. In group (V), rats were injected i.p. with ascorbic acid in a dose of 45 mg/100g body weight one hour before the injection of HgC12 in a single dose of 1 mg/100g body weight. In each group, half of rats were killed 2 days and the other half, 7 days after the last injection. In group (III), there was a significant decrease in renal G-SH on the 2" day compared to control group (I), but in group (IV), where HgC12 was given in a smaller dose, there was a significant increase in renal G-SH. There was a significant decrease in concentration of renal G-SH-PX in groups (III) and (IV) on the 2nd day compared to control group (I). MDA was significantly increased in group (III) on the 2" day compared to control group(I). The kidney damage in our study was not permanent as indicated by increase in the level of renal G-SH and renal G-SH-PX and decrease in MDA, serum urea and creatinine in group (III) on the 7'h day compared to the 2" day. When ascorbic acid was given before HgC12 in group (V), there was a significant decrease in renal MDA concentration on the 2nd day with significant increase in renal G-SH-PX and non-significant increase in renal G-SH as compared to group (III). In conclusion, malondialdehyde, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase could be used as biochemical markers for toxicity of HgC12; renal damage by HgC12 is not permanent and ascorbic acid could be used as a preventive measure before exposure to HgC12.