Stereological Study of the Effect of Vitamin E on Rat Kidney Tissue Treated with Para-Nonylphenol

Para-Nonylphenol is an environmental pollutant which can generate free radicals causing tissue damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E as a strong antioxidant on kidney tissue in rats treated with para-Nonylphenolusing’stereological technique. Twenty fourmaleWistar rats with the mean body weight of 198±20 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6), control, vitamin E (100mg/kg/day), Para-Nonylphenol (250mg/kg/day) and Para-Nonylphenol+ vitamin E, and treated orally for 56 days. Finally, the rats were weighted and their right kidneys were taken out, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained using Heidenhain̕& azan method. The kidney tissue was then studied using stereological methods. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and means difference was considered significant at P<0.05. The mean kidney weight, the total volume of kidney, the volume of cortex and medulla, the volume of proximal and distal tubule lumen, interstitial tissue and the volume of glomerulus and tuft significantly increased in Para-Nonylphenol group compared to the control ones, while the volume of proximal and distal tubules epithelium and the volume of Bowman’s space reduced significantly. Vitamin E could compensate many adverse effects of Para-Nonylphenol on the kidney tissue. Consequently, vitamin E could be used as a potential antioxidant (supplement) against NP intoxication.