Protective Effect of Flax Seed Oil on acetaminophen- induced toxicity in the renal cortex of albino rats

Introduction: Acetaminophen is known for its analgesic and antipyretic properties. Its use in therapeutic doses is safe but overdosing or misuse makes it harmful. It has toxic effects on the cell of liver and kidneys. Scientific evidence highlights the antioxidant effect of flax seed oil in preventing the damage caused by acetaminophen on the kidneys. Aims and Objectives: To observe the nephrotoxic effect of acetaminophen and see the protective effects of flax seed oil on nephrotoxicity induced by acetaminophen. Place and Duration of study: The study was carried out in the research lab of University of Health Sciences, Lahore with ERB number No. UHS/ANAT/6827. The duration of the study was three months. Material and Methods: Twenty-four male Albino rats were divided randomly into three groups, consisting of 8 animals each. The rats were 6-8 weeks old and weighed between 175-225 gm. Animals of group A served as control and were given 5ml/kg normal saline (NS) each, intraperitoneally on day1. Animals of group B were given 1000 mg/kg acetaminophen (AAP) intraperitoneally dissolved in 5ml of NS on day1. Group C animals were given flax seed oil (FSO), 2 ml at a dose of 1.86gm/kg orally, once daily. On the 14th day, a single intraperitoneal dose of acetaminophen, 1000 mg/kg dissolved in 5ml/kg normal saline was given, one hour after giving flax seed oil. The animals of group A were sacrificed on the 15th day, whereas animals of group B and C were sacrificed 48 hours after giving acetaminophen. Kidneys were removed and excised after necropsy and prepared for histological examination. Results: The cortical region in the kidneys of group A showed normal histological finding. All the AAP treated animals showed evidence of renal damage. In Group C, FSO pretreatment significantly reduced AAP induced changes in kidney as shown by restoration of its histological structure. Conclusion: AAP is nephrotoxic and FSO ameliorates its effect in rats.