The effect of icariin on the stereological parameters of mice's kidneys treated with acrylamide

Introduction: Acute kidney injury, a leading cause of kidney failure, can be triggered by toxic substances such as acrylamide. Herbal medicines, known for their antioxidant properties may help reduce the harmful effects of acrylamide. Objectives: This study aims to explore the antioxidant effects of icariin, a natural plant product, on the side effects of acrylamide on the stereological changes in kidney tissue in mice. Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, 32 male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: intact control, icariin control (dose (100mg/kg/day; acrylamide control) dose 10mg/kg/day); Acrylamide treatment group (10mg/kg/day + Icarrin with a dose of 100mg/kg/day; all substances were administered orally for five weeks. At the end of the fifth week, the animals were anesthetized and ethically euthanized, and their kidneys were subsequently removed. Biometric indicators such as kidney length, changes in kidney thickness, and weight were examined before the kidneys were fixed in formalin. Tissue sections were prepared and analyzed using the H & E method after staining. Stereological indices, including changes in kidney volume, cortex volume, medulla volume, the ratio of glomerulus to cortex surface, and the ratio of renal tubules to cortex surface, were then calculated. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 statistical software. Results: Biometric indicators such as kidney length and thickness, as well as stereological indicators like kidney volume, cortex volume, and medulla volume, showed a statistically significant decrease in the acrylamide group compared to the control and treatment groups (P<0.05). These findings were consistent with the histopathological results observed in the studied groups. Conclusion: Acrylamide leads to a reduction in both biometric and stereological indicators of kidney health, while the use of icariin potentially mitigates these negative effects. Further studies are necessary to determine the efficacy of icariin in alleviating renal complications caused by acrylamide. Keywords: Icarrin, Acrylamide, Kidney, Stereological parameters, Biometric parameters