A study of two weeks administration of copper sulphate on markers of renal function and feeding pattern of Wistar rats

This study aimed at determining the changes in food consumption, water intake, plasma and urine concentrations of some organic constituents which are often used in the assessment of renal function following two weeks’ administration of two doses of copper sulphate to Wistar rats. Fifteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of five rats each. Group I (control group) received distilled water; groups II and III were given 100 and 200 mg/kg/day p. o of copper sulphate for 14 days, respectively. Significant reductions in food consumption and water intake were observed in group II when compared with the control and group III rats, but their body weight increased insignificantly throughout the study. The plasma urea concentrations of the treated rats were not significantly different from the control rats. The plasma creatinine levels of the experimental rats rose slightly, but not significantly different from the control rats. The creatinine and urea concentrations in the urine fell significantly in group II when compared with the control group. This was accompanied by decrease in creatinine clearance. Photomicrographs of the kidneys of both the control and experimental rats revealed no alteration in the histology of their renal tissue. It is concluded that acute copper sulphate administration to rats induced anorexia and suppression of renal function, thereby indicating the potential toxicity of the salt if ingested for a longer period. Key words: Copper sulphate, kidney, creatinine, urea, rats.