Histological and Biochemical Evaluation of Rat Liver and Kidney Following Nitrofurantoin Administration

Nitrofurantoin (NFR) is an antibiotic commonly used in the management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections. The study examined histoarchitectural and biochemical alterations in the liver and kidney of Wistar rats following exposure to nitrofurantoin. Fifteen (15) adult Wistar rats comprising five (5) animals per group were randomly assigned into three groups. Group A was the control group while Groups B and C received 30mg kg-1 and 60mg kg^-1 body weight of NFR respectively for thirty (30) days. Data generated from liver and renal functional markers was analyzed on graph pad prism using descriptive statistics and outcomes implicated as standard error of the mean and mean. Mean value differences were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) considering p 0.05 as statistically significant value. Upshot display periportal hepatitis in the group given 30mg kg-1 of nitrofurantoin, the hepatocytes appeared polygonal and there was vascular congestion with inflammatory cell infiltration in rats given 60mg kg-1 NFR. These features were consistent with inflammatory responses. However, liver function tests showed a significant increase in Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels across treated groups when rationalized to control group (p 0.05). Also observed is a statistically significant increase in mean serum level of total protein, direct and indirect Bilirubin across treatment groups compared to control. More so, there were features consistent with normal renal histoarchitecture with tubules comprising of multiple segments and corpuscle made up of the Glomerulus surrounded by the podocytes. Conversely, renal function parameters showed a decrease in the urea level across treatment groups. Nitrofurantoin displays no histoarchitectural outcome of the kidney but elucidated negative outcome on the liver histology, therefore caution should be considered when administered as a therapeutic agent.