Electron microscopic investigation of benzo(a)pyrene-induced alterations in the rat kidney tissue and the protective effects of curcumin

ABSTRACT

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic hydrocarbon with carcinogenic and DNA damaging properties. Curcumin, primary yellow pigment in turmeric, has a wide range of biological, pharmacological properties in addition to being a powerful antioxidant. The aim of this study was to investigate protective effects of curcumin against benzo(a)pyrene damage in rat kidney. Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups (n = 6) as: control, corn oil, Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), BaP (10 mg/kg/day), Curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), Curcumin+BaP (100 mg/kg/day+10 mg/kg/day). Agents were daily and orally administered for six weeks. Kidney tissues were removed and examined ultrastructurally. Glomerular and tubular structures in control, corn oil, and DMSO groups demonstrated normal features. Glomerular capillary dilation, thickening, and folding of basement membrane and disruption of organelle contents were distinguished in BaP group. Deletion of podocyte cell and pedicels also sponge-like appearance of glomerular surface were remarkable in this group. Tissue components were protected in curcumin treated group. Proximal tubules and glomerular basement membrane exhibited normal features in Curcumin+BaP group. The abnormalities that accompanied BaP administration clearly revealed the detrimental effects of this agent. Therefore, this study provided substantial evidence that curcumin protects against benzo(a)pyrene nephrotoxicity.

KEYWORDS:

• Curcumin
• benzo (a) pyrene
• kidney
• nephrotoxicity
• ultrastructure
• rat

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank to Bülent Çelik, Prof. (Department of Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara Turkey) for his assistance in statistical analyses.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics committee approval

This study was conducted at Gazi University, Medical School Experimental Animal Breeding and Experimental Research Center and were approved by Gazi University Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments (Approval No. G.U.ET-12.011).

Authorship contributions

Concept: DŞA, DE, GTK, GEG, ÇE; Design: DŞA, DE, GTK, GEG, ÇE; Data acquisition and analysis: DŞA, DE, GTK, GEG, UŞ, ÇE; Critical revision of the manuscript: DŞA, DE, GTK, GEG, UŞ, ÇE. All authors contributed to the drafting of the manuscript and approved the final version of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.