EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF ANTIMONY INDUCED RENAL TOXICITY IN RABBITS

Background and Objectives: Contamination of the environment, food and water with antimony compounds may affect human health through the persistent exposure to small doses over a long period. This study was carried out to demonstrate the dose related effects of antimony on renal tissues of rabbits. Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 40 healthy rabbits, weighing 1.5 kg average, divided into 4 groups, each group having 10 animals with one control group. Group I animals were injected with antimony sodium tartrate of ½ MLD 6 mg/kg body weight I/V at interval of 2 days for 12 weeks. The experimental dose of 1.71 mg/kg body weight was injected I/V at interval of 4 days to group II animals. Those of group III were injected 2ml of specific bovine albumin 30% (Dade, USA) followed by schedule of group II animals. Group IV (control group) animals were injected I/V with distilled water. Animals were sacrificed and renal biopsies were taken for microscopic evaluation of any pathological changes. Results and Conclusions: Main morphological changes were seen in proximal convoluted tubules and glomeruli (H E, PAS). A total of 10% glomeruli showed focal hypercelluarity of mesangial and endothelial cells, increase in mesangial matrix, leading to mesangial widening and vascular congestion along with protein casts. Mild to moderate degree of nephrocalcinosis was seen. On the other hand distal convoluted tubules did not reveal any change. This study indicated the toxic effects of antimony on renal tissue of rabbits predominantly involving the glomeruli with some degree of epithelial degeneration in the proximal convoluted tubules. Hyaline casts in the renal tubules were also prominent feature. It is concluded that the antimony has toxic effects on the renal tissue, so preventive measures should be taken to avoid long term exposure in the industries and for therapeutic uses.