Evaluation of Gender-Specific Variation in Lead-induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

The kidney is sensitive to heavy metals because of its intensive metabolic activity and multiple functions namely those of excretion and pollutants concentration. The study aimed to evaluate the gender-specific variation in lead-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. 10 male and 10 female Wistar rats (180-220g) were each divided into 2 groups (n=5 each): Control (M), Lead alone (M), Control (F), Lead alone (F). Male and female rats of the experimental groups were administered a daily dose of 100 mg/kg/bw of lead acetate dispersed in distilled water for 21 days. All rats were anesthetized and sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis, kidney tissues were harvested, homogenized, and analyzed for antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and lipid peroxidation (measured by malondialdehyde levels). Results indicated a significantly (p<0.01) lower weight gain in the lead-only female (F) group compared to the lead-only male (M) group. Lead acetate exposure caused oxidative damage, evidenced by significantly reduced antioxidant enzyme levels and increased lipid peroxidation in both male and female groups, with the effects being more pronounced in females (p<0.05). Serum creatinine and Urea levels in the lead alone (M) and lead alone (F) group were increased when compared to their respective control groups (p<0.05) however serum creatinine was significantly (p<0.001) higher in lead alone (F) than lead alone (M). The electrolyte function increased significantly in this study (p<0.05) when compared with their control groups. Sodium ion in lead alone (F) increased significantly (p<0.01) when compared to lead alone (M). The study concludes that lead exposure induced nephrotoxicity in both male and female rats, but more significantly pronounced in females than the males. This increased severity may have been mediated by the higher lead-induced oxidative stress observed in the female rats compared to males.