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

Background: 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 (CCl)-induced oxidative damage in kidneys of rats.

Methods: 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 CCl (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.

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

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