Ochratoxin A Toxic Effect on Rat Kidneys and the Potential Protective Effect of Ginseng: Histopathologic, Histochemical, and Image Analysis Morphometric Studies

Abstract

Background:  Ochratoxin A (OA), a secondary fungal metabolite, produced by  Aspergillus  and  Penicillium strains and it is known to cause severe nephrotoxicity in animals and humans. Aim:  The effects on the histology and histochemistry of kidney of rats with ochratoxicosis and the potential protective role of ginseng against OA toxicity were investigated. Subjects and Methods:  Rats were divided into ten equal groups, eight rats of each; control, three groups of OA (0.85 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally for 2, 4, and 8 weeks, another three groups were treated with ginseng (20 mg/kg) plus OA for 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The remaining groups were injected with ginseng only. Histopathologic, histochemical, cytophotometric studies were used. Results:  OA showed histopathologic effects confirmed by image analysis morphormetic studies on rat kidneys; as pyknotic nuclei, vacuolar and hydropic degeneration within tubular epithelial cells. Cell debris and hyaline casts within tubular lumina were encountered. In rats treated with ginseng and ochratoxin, improvements in the histological and histochemical features were noticed. Histochemical and cytophotometric analysis showed decrease in DNA, protein glycogen, and alkaline phosphatase contents in rats given OA, while ginseng caused a significant increase in these inclusions. Conclusion:  The ginseng was found to reduce the deleterious effects of OA that occurred in kidney.