Journal of Innovative Pharma and Drug Sciences | Volume 1 Issue 1 | Pages: 14-23 | Doi : 10.37446/jipds/rsa/1.1.2026.14-23

Research Article

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 30-Jun-2026

Nephroprotective effect of low dose of vitamin A on the kidney in toxic dose of methamphetamine induced adult male Wistar rats

Ezejindu Damian Nnabuihe
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.


• Alozie Osinachi Prince
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Agu Chioma Juliet
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Udodi Sopuluchukwu Princewill
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Enemuo Ijeoma
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Okeke Somadina Nnamdi
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Ogbuokiri Doris K
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Okeke Henry Kachikwuru
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Ekoh Augustine Alobu
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Benedict Nzube Obinwa
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Chinyere Elizabeth Eze
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Nwaefulu Kester Eluemunor
• Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Sobanke A. Omolara
• Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Chidinma Ifeyinwa Mmaju
• Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Okafor Anulika Jacinta
• Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Chuka-Onwuokwu Ngozi Cynthia
• Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Ejiogu Ikedichukwu Chibueze
• Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Nwoko Sebastine Okechukwu
• Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Wuraola Serah Nnaemeka
• Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Ebi Victory Chinecherem
• Department of Medicine, College of medicine, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Agu Augustine Uchenna
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Ugwu Augustus Uchenna
• Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Nwodo Ndubuisi Francis
• Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Rivers state, Nigeria.

Elemuo Chukwuebuka Stanley
• Department of Anatomy, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Agbai Johnson Ukwa
• Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

Muorah Chinecherem Onyekachi
• Department of Nursing science, Christopher University, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH), a potent psychostimulant, is widely recognized for its neurotoxic and systemic toxic effects, including oxidative and inflammatory damage to peripheral organs such as the kidney. Excessive METH exposure induces nephrotoxicity characterized by oxidative stress, tubular degeneration, and impaired renal function. Vitamin A, in its active metabolite form (retinoic acid), exhibits strong antioxidant and cytoprotective properties that may counteract drug-induced organ injury. This study investigated the potential protective effect of low-dose of vitamin A on the kidneys of adult male Wistar rats exposed to toxic doses of methamphetamine. Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5): group A (control) feed and water, group B (METH-only; 20g/kg at 3-hour intervals within 12 hours in a day), group C (vitamin A-only; 0.7 mg/kg) while group D (combined METH + vitamin A). All the experimental groups were fed with feed and water. All treatments were administered orally via intubation for 28 consecutive days. After the final administration, animals were anesthetized and sacrificed; kidneys were harvested, fixed in 10% neutral formal-saline and processed for histological examination using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. Results of methamphetamine exposure group showed weight loss, oxidative stress, and notable renal architectural disruptions, including tubular necrosis, glomerular shrinkage, and inflammatory infiltration. However, co-administration of low-dose of vitamin A preserved renal morphology, reduced cellular degeneration, and stabilized biochemical markers of kidney function. The findings of this study suggest that vitamin A confers a nephroprotective effect against methamphetamine-induced renal toxicity, likely mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Keywords

Toxic dose, Vitamin A, Wistar rat, Nephroprotective, Methamphetamine

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