Pathological research on acute hepatic and renal tissue damage in Wistar rats induced by cocoa

Abstract

A B S T R A C TObjective: To ascertain the functional integrity of renal and hepatic tissues of Wistar rats fed with processed cocoa bean-based beverages and raw cocoa bean products-containing diets by using biochemical and histological methods. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were designated on the basis of experimental diets which were given for 28 days. At the end of the feeding period, blood samples were drawn, and renal and hepatic tissues were excised from the experimental rat groups for functional tests and histological examinations, respectively. Results: Serum alanine aminotransferase activities of the experimental rat groups showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) and were within a relatively narrow range of (32.17 ± 4.98) IU/L to (41.00 ± 10.85) IU/L, whereas serum aspartate aminotransferase activities gave wide variation within the range of (15.67 ± 2.13) IU/L to (34.83 ± 8.31) IU/L with P < 0.05. Serum bilirubin concentrations of experimental rat groups were less than 1 mg/dL. Serum total protein and albumin concentrations varied within a relatively narrow range. Serum creatinine concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than serum urea concentration. Histology showed evidence of moderate disarrangement of hepatic tissue architecture and degenerated tubules as well as glomerular turfs. Conclusions: The pattern of alanine aminotransferase activity being more active than aspartate aminotransferase one in serum appeared to correlate with the extent of disarrangement of hepatic tissue architecture. The experimental rat groups exhibited no hyperbilirubinemia. Also, diets containing processed cocoa bean and raw cocoa bean products did not substantially interfere with the capacity of the hepatocytes to biosynthesize plasma proteins and the functionality of renal tissues.

GC-MS Analysis, Hypoglycemic Activity of Aqueous Root Extract of Carica papaya and Its Effects on Blood Lipid Profile and Hepatorenal Tissues Biomarkers of Diabetic Rats

“…The rapidity with which urea and creatinine are cleared from circulation and excreted in the urine is a diagnostic parameter for ascertaining renal tissue functionality. The present study conformed to previous reports, in which streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and Wistar rats fed with unprocessed cocoa exhibited marginal elevation of serum creatinine concentration but with marked elevation of serum urea concentration, which was diagnostic of renal dysfunction [79,80]. However, studies showed that elevated serum creatinine concentration was a more reliable diagnostic biomarker than that of serum urea concentration for renal dysfunction [81].…”

Functional Assessments and Histopathology of Hepatorenal Tissues of Wistar Rats Infused with Carbon Tetrachloride and Treated with Raw and Hydrothermal Processed Herbs

“…Similar to the histopathological status of the liver, photomicrograph sections of renal tissues (Figure 7) showed that the distortions in renal tissue architecture correlated with the levels of alterations in their blood indicators; serum creatinine and urea concentrations as previously described. 60 Furthermore, the tissue architecture of fibrotic rats administered with raw and hydrothermal processed herbs confirmed the limited capacities of the herbs to ameliorate renal dysfunction within the experimental period of 28 days.…”

“…15,60 Autopsy samples of the renal and hepatic tissues of the different animal groups, fixed in 10% formolsaline (pH = 7.2) for 24 h and washed with continuous flow of distilled water. The specimens were cleared in xylene embedded in paraffin in hot air oven at 56°C for 24 h. Paraffin bees wax tissue blocks were prepared for sectioning at 4-mm thickness using a semi-automated rotatory microtome.…”