Impact of Subacute Heat Stress on Hepatorenal Histophysiology in Wistar Rats and Protective Role of Combined Antioxidants

Abstract

Aim: This study investigates the impact of subacute heat stress on hepatorenal function and histology in Wistar rats, alongside the protective effects of combined antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium) Study Design: Sixty rats were divided into control, heat-stressed, and antioxidant-treated heat-stressed groups. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in the Department of Veterinary Pathology and rats were housed in Central Laboratory Animal House, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, NDVSU, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (M.P.), India, from April 2024- Aug 2024 (5 months). Methodology: Serum biochemistry was done at the end of the experiment i.e., on day 30 for parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Rats were humanely sacrificed and the liver and kidney were collected for histopathology. Results: Biochemical markers (ALT, AST, BUN, and total protein) and histopathological evaluations revealed significant hepatorenal damage in the heat-stressed group, with marked amelioration in the antioxidant-treated group in both male and female rats. Conclusion: These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of antioxidant supplementation in mitigating heat stress-induced organ damage.