Protective role of apple cider vinegar (APCV) in CCl₄-induced renal damage in wistar rats

Apple Cider Vinegar, (APCV) has been locally associated with a number of health benefits, including protection against oxidative stress and related ailments. It is on this background the present study assessed its protective effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced oxidative damage in kidneys of rats.

Twenty four adult rats of Wistar strain were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6). While group I animals served as control; kidney oxidative damage was induced in groups II and III animals using a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ (100%, 1.73 mL/kg body weight, BW). Group II animals were left untreated and groups III and IV counterparts were administered APCV (1.56 mL/kg BW) once daily for a period of 7 days. Thereafter, the animals were fasted over night, and sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and samples (blood and kidney tissues) were collected for biochemical/histopathological examinations. Kidney function markers including urea, creatinine, sodium ion (Na⁺) and potassium ion (k⁺) were determined in the serum while thin sections of kidneys were processed for histopathological screening.

Compared to the control animals, CCl₄ administration caused kidney damage as evidenced by significant (P < 0.05) increase in the evaluated indices (urea, creatinine, Na⁺ and K⁺). Interestingly, treatment of CCl₄-exposed rats with APCV markedly reversed the above alterations to near normal. Besides, APCV treatment ameliorated the histological derangements (hemorrhagic lesions) caused by CCl₄ in the kidney of the experimental rats.

These observations apparently suggest that Apple cider vinegar has the therapeutic potential to protect against renal impairment and attendant malfunction.