Impact of aging on kidneys of male Wistar albino rats: the protective antiaging role of resveratrol

Abstract

Because aging leads to multiple health problems associated with changes in the structure and functions of a different organ system, this study aimed to assess the effect of aging on the histology of renal tissue in rats of various ages and the possible protective role of resveratrol. In the present study, twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were separated into three groups of eight animals each, including rats adult aged (6 months), and old-aged (24 months old). The elderly resveratrol-treated group was administered 25 mg/kg/day of resveratrol diluted in distilled water orally via gastric tube. The treatment lasted three months. At the end of the experiment, blood was drawn for serum creatinine analysis, the animals were sacrificed, and the kidneys were removed and processed for histological investigation. The findings revealed variable changes in kidney tissue, including glomerulosclerosis, compensatory glomerular hypertrophy, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, thickened glomerular basement membrane, arterial sclerosis, tubular dilatation with cast formation, atrophy of the tubules, infiltration of inflammatory cells, a rise in the rate of apoptotic cells, and a decrease in the glomerular number. These histological changes were associated with increased serum creatinine levels and kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation. The use of RES (Resveratrol) improved the creatinine level with a decrease in the MDA and improved the histological changes of aged kidney. As a result, the progression of aging was accompanied by different histological variations that interfered with the physiological functioning of the kidney, predisposing older persons to renal illnesses. Utilizing RES as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic medicine for aging-related renal changes is also possible.