Structural remodeling of the glomerular filtration barrier and renal tubular structures during experimental alcohol...

Aim: To study changes in the structural components of the glomerular filtration barrier and renal tubular structures following exposure to alcoholic beverages of varying strength and quality in an experimental model.

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 130 sexually mature male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into four experimental groups of 30 each, according to the type of alcoholic beverage administered: vodka (40% alcohol by volume, ABV), home-distilled spirits (40% and 50% ABV), and wine (17% ABV). Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups of 10 animals according to the first (5 days), second (9 days), and third (12 days) stages of alcohol administration. Ten animals served as controls. All procedures involving animals were performed in accordance with bioethical standards. Morphological analysis was carried out using histological, electron microscopic, and morphometric methods.

Results: Administration of 40% ABV vodka, 40% ABV home-distilled spirits, and 17% ABV wine for 5 days did not induce noticeable morphological changes in the components of the glomerular filtration barrier or renal tubular structures. At this stage, administration of 50% ABV home-distilled spirits induced functional stress. On day 9, administration of 40% ABV vodka and 17% ABV wine resulted in hypertrophy and hyperplasia of both the components of the glomerular filtration barrier and renal tubular structures. Administration of 40% ABV home-distilled spirits during this period induced initial signs of destruction. Administration of 50% ABV home-distilled spirits over the same period led to an overload of adaptive and protective mechanisms. By day 12, administration of 40% ABV and 50% ABV home-distilled spirits caused pronounced destructive changes, whereas 40% ABV vodka and 17% ABV wine induced functional stress.

Conclusions: The most pronounced destructive changes in the components of the glomerular filtration barrier and renal tubular structures were observed in animals administered 50% ABV home-distilled spirits, whereas the least pronounced changes were associated with 17% ABV fortified wine. The severity of destructive changes progressively increased with the duration of alcohol administration. Keyword s:, , , ,.