Abstract :
The aim of this study is to assess the effects of lead acetate toxicity on liver and kidney functions and to evaluate the protective effect of Garlic (Allium sativum) on liver and kidney. Forty adult Wistar albino male rats of approxaimatey same age 8 weeks old were randomly divided into four equal groups as follows; Animals in control group (CG) served as the control group and treated with distilled water. Animals in lead groups (LG) and lead with garlic group (LGG) were received lead acetate orally, in a dose of 50 mg/ kg b.w./ day. Group LGG animals were, in addition to lead acetate, treated with 500 mg/kg/rat of aqueous extract of garlic. Garlic group GG treated with 500 mg/ kg/ rat aqueous extract of garlic. All treatments were for 8 weeks. Then the blood sample was collected from heart puncture to estimate serum creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and malondialdehyde levels and the liver and kidney were removed for histopathological study. The results showed that the administration of lead acetate to the rats in LG caused a significant increase (P 0.05) in creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared with the CG. Meanwhile the LGG show significant decrease (P 0.05) in their values compared with LG. LGG and GG groups showed no significant (P 0.05) difference in creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, and malondialdehyde concentration compared with CG after 8 weeks of the experiment. The histopathological changes in liver of LG revealed perivascular mono nuclear cell infiltration with congestion and vacuolar degeneration while the kidney showed vacuolar degeneration changes and necrosis, and glomerular atrophy. Using garlic as a protective agent with lead acetate in LGG group revealed a good protective effect of garlic observed as decrease in cellular infiltrate with no dilatation or congestion was noticed. Kidney architecture became near to normal histology. Also no histopathological changes were observed in both CG and GG groups.It could be concluded that Garlic can decreased the damage of liver cells and kidney from oxidative effect induced by lead, and it is dependent on their antioxidant effects.
