Protective Effect of Vitamin E on Formaldehyde-Induced Injuries in the Rat Kidney

Formaldehyde (F) is a chemical component that has an extensive usage on fixation of tissues and produces different types of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in our body. Studies have shown that long exposure to F damages the eyes, nose and throat; in addition it has adverse effects on body organs such as the urinary system. Vitamins can reduce free ROS.. The aim of this study was evaluating the protective effect of vitamin E on the kidney damaged by formaldehyde.. Male adult wistar rats were divided into three groups. Group A (control): rats received vehicle (normal saline) for two weeks. Group E1 (formaldehyde): rats received formaldehyde (10 mg/kg) for two weeks. Group E2 (formaldehyde + vitamin E): rats received formaldehyde (10 mg/kg) and vitamin E (30 mg/kg) for two weeks. After two weeks, all rats were killed, and the kidneys were dissected and processed for routine histological staining.. Comparison of the control and formaldehyde groups with the vitamin E group revealed that there were significant differences in lumen size and nuclear color of proximal tubules in rats treated by vitamin E (P < 0.05). Cell degeneration, lumen size, number and size of nucleus of distal tubules were statistically different among the three groups. In the vitamin E treated group observed histological changes were improved compared to the formaldehyde group.. According to the results of this study, vitamin E probably improves the harmful effects of formaldehyde on rat kidney tissue.