Abstract
Aim of study: The aim of this work is to detect the toxic effects of tramadol on the microscopic structure of the kidneys of adult male albino rats, and the possible protective role of vitamin C against these toxic effects. Method: Thirty adult albino rats are used in this study. The animals were divided into three equal groups: Group A (control group): Animals were injected daily with normal saline for 4 weeks. Group B (Tramadol treated group) (TGI): Animals were injected daily with tramadol in a dose of 50mg/kg b.wt for 4 weeks. Group C (group treated with tramadol+vitamin C) (TGII): Animals were injected with vitamin C in a dose 100mg/Kg/b.wt half hour prior to tramadol injection in the same dose as in group B for 4 weeks. The injection was given intraperitoneally for all animals. At the end of the experiments, the rats were anaesthetized by ether, then killed. After that kidneys removed, fixed in formaldehyde and processed for microscopic examination. Result: Tramadol causes shrinkage of renal glomeruli with widening of bowman's space. Renal tubules showed hydropic degeneration and vacuolization of their epithelial cells. Infiltration of mononuclear cells along with Hyaline cast is seen within the degenerated tubules. Giving vitamin C prior to tramadol injection results in improvement in the microscopical structure of kidney mainly in glomeruli and tubules. Conclusion: Using tramadol caused damage to renal glomeruli and tubules in renal cortex. The addition of vitamin C partially improved the histological structure of kidney.
