Renal Effects of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuO NPs) and the Protective Potential of Vitamin C in Adult Male Albino Rats

Introduction CuO NPs may be harmful to vertebrates and mammalian cells. Little research has been carried out about the detrimental effects of CuO NPs on renal tissue. Aim We have assessed the effects of CuO NPs on the kidneys of adult male albino rats and evaluated the protective potential of antioxidant vitamin C. Material and methods Eighty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I contained 30 rats and was subdivided into 3 equally into A, B, and C subgroups, group II contained 10 rats. Each of group III and IV contained 20 rats and was divided equally into A and B subgroups. Rats in group I were gavaged (IA subgroup), intraperitoneal injected (IP) (IB subgroup), and both were gavaged and IP (IC subgroup) with distilled water. The rats in group II were gavaged 1.6 mg vitamin C. Rats in group III were injected IP with 5 mg CuO NPs/kg (IIIA subgroup) and 20 mg CuO NPs/kg (IIIB subgroup). Rats in group IV were gavaged 1.6mg vitamin C before IP injected with 5 mg CuO NPs (IVA subgroup) and 20 mg CuO/kg NPs (IVB subgroup). All rats received the treatment daily two weeks, and Upon completion of the experiment, histological and biochemical studies on the kidneys and blood were made. Results CuO NPs treated groups revealed histopathological and biochemical changes in a dose-dependent manner. These changes were ameliorated with vitamin C co-administration in the low dose of CuO NPs but a mild protective effect was observed in the high dose. Conclusion CuO NPs induced deteriorating changes in the rats’ kidneys, which were mildly improved with co-administration of vitamin C with the high dose of CuO NPs.