Effect of vitamin E and selenium against aluminum-induced nephrotoxicity in pregnant rats

Kidney is one of the most affected organs by aluminium toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of aluminium chloride on the kidney of pregnant rats and to assess the efficiency of vitamin E and selenium in ameliorating this effect. Forty virgin albino rats were randomly divided into two main groups. Control rats were further divided into negative control group (C1, n = 10) which received distilled water and positive control group (C2, n = 10) that received vitamin E (VE, 150 mg/kg/day) and selenium (NaSe 150 μg/kg/day) for 3 months through intra-gastric tube. The experimental group was divided into an E1 subgroup in which rats received aluminium chloride (AlCl₃, 150 mg/kg/day, n = 10) and E2 subgroup (n = 10) in which animals received the same dose of AlCl₃ plus VE and selenium at the same doses as C2 group for 3 months through intra-gastric tube. Conception of rats was allowed. AlCl₃, VE and NaSe were given through intragastric tube during the whole length of the pregnancy, at the same doses as before pregnancy. At the 20th day of gestation dams were sacrificed, kidneys were dissected and processed for routine histological and immunohistochemical staining for identification of T-lymphocytes and macrophages. Integrated optical density of both cell types was assessed. AlCl₃ administration induced histopathological changes in the kidney of pregnant rats and increased the density of CD3 and CD68 immunoreactive cells, suggestive of the associated aluminium-induced inflammatory process. Vitamin E and selenium minimized these harmful effects. The results suggest that diets rich in vitamin E and selenium and their supplements are advised particularly during pregnancy to alleviate the effects of possible excessive aluminium exposure.