Abstract
Background: Toluene is widely used in different activities of industrial, commercial and
household applications. It can cause damage to the human body. Buffalos’ milk has a good
nutritive value.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the negative effects of toluene on kidney
tissues and to investigate the protective effects of buffalo’s milk against toluene-induced
nephrotoxicity in rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats (180-220 g weight) were randomly
assigned to eight groups (n = 5). Animals in groups I to IV received oral gavage 1 mL
distilled water (DH2O) and groups V to VIII received oral gavage 1 mL buffalo’s milk.
Ten minutes later, animals were received toluene (i.p) at doses of 300 mg/kg (groups
I and V), 600 mg/kg (groups of II and VI), and 900 mg/kg (groups of III and VII),
respectively. The animals in groups IV (control) and VIII were injected vehicle (corn oil)
only. The experiment repeated for seven consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the
last administration, animals were killed with overdose of sodium pentobarbital. Blood
samples were analyzed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). One part of the
kidney tissues were excised for measuring the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),
glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA).
Another parts were excised for histopatholgical examination.
Results: Administration of toluene to male rats produced dose-dependent damage in the
kidney. This was noted by elevation of BUN, Cr and MDA levels. In contrast, diminished
the CAT, GR and SOD enzyme activities in rats treated with toluene when compared to
those in control animals. Histopathological manifestations were also observed in dose
related manner in toluene-treated rats. Buffalo’s milk had no effect on the biochemical
parameters and kidney morphology when compared to those in control. However, it was
able to prevent rat kidney against toluene toxicity.
Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that toluene damages kidney tissue and
is a nephrotoxic substance. Buffalo’s milk was able to prevent the renal damage as an
antioxidant and a nephroprotective agent.