A Comparative Histopathological Effect of Caffeinated and Decaffeinated Coffee on the Histomorphology of the Kidney of Adult Male Albino Wistar Rats

The comparative effect of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on the histomorphology of the kidney of male albino Wistar rats was investigated. Thirty-five (35) male albino Wistar rats (weighing between 135 185g) were grouped into seven (7) groups with 5 rats in each group. Group 1 served as the control while Groups 2 to 7 were the test groups. Caffeinated coffee at doses of 5mg, 10mg and 15mg per kg body weight of rats were administered orally to Groups 2, 3, 4 respectively. 5mg, 10mg, 15mg per kg body weight of decaffeinated coffee were administered orally to Groups 5, 6, 7. After 28 days of administration of the coffee, the animals were sacrificed, kidneys were harvested, fixed, processed and cut at 5 microns, stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E technique) and observed for histopathological alterations under light microscope. Results showed numerous tubular degeneration, vascular degeneration, tubular necrosis, glomerular inflammation and loss of epithelial lining in the test groups when compared to the control Group 1. Statistically, the body weight of the rats was observed to be significantly different in coffee treated groups (p < 0.05) when compared to the control. In conclusion, caffeinated coffee has severe effect on the kidney of male albino Wistar rats but is significantly reduced with decaffeinated coffee.