Physiological and biochemical implications of prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and Piliostigma thonningii extract on the renal function indices of female rats

Abstract

N-Acetyl-p-Aminophenol (APAP), also known as acetaminophen, is the most commonly used over-the counter analgesic and antipyretic medication. However, its overdose leads to both liver and kidney damage. This research work assessed the effect of prenatal exposure to Piliostigma thonningii on some renal function indices following acetaminophen induced toxicity. The leaves of P. thonningii were collected and air dried for 14 days until constant weight was obtained. Twenty-five (25) pregnant female rats (180 - 200) g was grouped on the bases of their weight to five (5) groups of 5 rats each. Animals in group A served as control while groups B-E served as the treated groups. Group B was administered with 200 mg/kgb.wt of acetaminophen, Group C was administered 200 mg/kgb. wt of P. thonningii, Group D was administered with 100 mg/kgb. wt of P. thonningii + 200 mg/kgb . wt of acetaminophen, while group E was administered 200 mg/kgb. wt of P. thonningii + 200 mg/kgb. wt of acetaminophen. The administration was done for 28days/till parturition. The dams were fed for 21day and five from each group were sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture in sterile plane tubes for prenatal renal function assessment. The result shows (p<0.05) significant increase in Na⁺ concentration of groups administered with acetaminophen alone, with evidence of significant decrease in groups administered with P.thonningii alone. The result also show that prenatal exposure to P.thonningii produced no significant difference on serum K⁺,Cl^-,HCO₃^-,urea,creatinine, ALT,AST and ALP. It was speculated that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen produced no assault on the functional integrity of the kidney but with an evidence of hypernatremia which may be due to increase in aldosterone level.