HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF A COMBINATION OF VITAMIN C AND ACTIVATED CHARCOAL ON PARAQUAT-INDUCED KIDNEY TOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

The aim of this work is to investigate the ameliorative effect and the safety of Vitamin C/ Activated Charcoal combination on Paraquat-induced kidney histopathology and normal kidney of Wistar rats respectively. Also, to investigate the relationship between the level of tissue damage and clinical manifestations with the duration of paraquat exposure. The work was carried out at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria, from March 1st to March 28th, 2025. A total of 40 female 8 week old Wistar rats, weighing between 150 to 200 grams were used. They were randomly assigned into 4 groups, of 10 rats each. Group 1 rats, normal control, received orally, 1ml of normal saline solution daily for 28 days. Group 2 animals received paraquat solution at 50mg/kg body weight dissolved in 1ml of distilled water once daily, for 28 days. Group 3 animals received paraquat solution at 50mg/kg body weight daily, followed after 5 minutes by 1ml of a combination of a solution of Vitamin C at 250mg/ kg body weight and a suspension of activated charcoal in distilled water at 0.175g/kg body weight, once daily for 28 days. Group 4 animals were administered 1ml of a combination of a solution of Vitamin C at 250mg/ kg body weight and a suspension of activated charcoal in distilled water at 0.175g/kg body weight once daily for 28 days. They were observed weekly. Kidney tissue was harvested weekly for histopathology processing and microscopic examination from the groups randomly. The histopathological method applied is tissue morphology assessment and intra as well as extra cellular substances manifestation. Groups 1 and 4 kidney tissue showed normal morphology throughout the experiment. Group 2 animals showed massive tissue necrosis, interstitial haemorrhage, glomerular atrophy and tubular dilatations which worsens with the duration of the experiment. Group 3 kidney, microscopically showed mild tubular hypertrophy on day 7, a sign of signifying recovery. However, for days 14, 21 1nd 28, group 3 kidney showed mild tissue fegeneration, dilatation of the tubules and tubular atrophy. This means that the combination is effective in ameliorating paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity but continues exposure of the toxicant overwhelms the efficacy of this combination. An adjustment of the combination and the dosage would be a greater help in future studies. The maintenance of normal tissue architecture in group 4 throughout the experiment has shown that at this dosage and duration, the combination is safe on the kidney. Other organs can be investigated for safety of the combination too.