Rabbits as an Experimental Model for Methanol-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Background: Methanol intoxication is associated with a high fatality rate and is further exacerbated by acute kidney injury (AKI). Recent studies have demonstrated that rabbits share similarities with humans in methanol metabolism via the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) pathway, unlike rats, where methanol is metabolized through the catalase pathway, leading to faster formic acid oxidation. However, the use of rabbits as a model for AKI due to methanol intoxication has not been explored. Methods: This experimental study employed a randomized posttest-only control group design. Three groups were compared: a control group receiving aquabidest, a 2 g/kg BW methanol group, and a 4 g/kg BW methanol group. After 72 hours of treatment, the right kidney of each rabbit was biopsied and fixed in buffered formalin for histopathological examination using Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Tubular injury scores were calculated using a semi-quantitative scoring system and expressed as percentages. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by the LSD test. Results: Significant differences were observed in the percentage of tubular injury between the control group and the 2 g/kg BW methanol group [7.41 ± 0.74% vs. 77.15 ± 1.66%; MD: -69.75 ± 1.61%; 95% CI: -71.19 to -66.3%; P < 0.001], as well as between the control group and the 4 g/kg BW methanol group [7.41 ± 0.74% vs. 95.96 ± 0.77%; MD: -88.56 ± 1.62%; 95% CI: -92 to -85.11%; P < 0.001]. Conclusion: Rabbits can serve as an effective model for studying acute kidney injury induced by methanol intoxication. Key words: methanol, acute kidney injury, experimental animal models, rabbits