The effect of green tea on opposing toxicity of acrylamide on kidney function

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of green tea extract on kidney function tests, in male rats that received different doses of acrylamide (AA).

Design/methodology/approach

Animals were dispensed at random to one of the following treatments: group 1 served as control, whereas groups 2, 3 received seven, 14 mg/100 g B.W/day of AA, respectively, in drinking water for 15 and 30 days. Group 4 received green tea 1.5 percent concentration and groups 5, 6 received seven, 14 mg/100 g B.W/day in a mixture with green tea for 15 and 30 days.

Findings

Serum urea and creatinine significantly increase with AA. However, Total protein, albumin and A/G ratio showed significant drop in all treated groups when compared with control. Supplementation of rats with antioxidant (green tea) enhanced the general health condition, reduced the severity of genotoxic effect and the alteration in blood and serum parameters produced by AA.

Practical implications

The authors suggest that green tea may deliver a cushion for long therapeutic option against toxins-induced nephrotoxicity without damaging side effects.

Originality/value

The study uses green tea as a natural antioxidant source. Epigallocatechin-3 gallate is the most plentiful catechin preserved in green tea and a high source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of phenolic products of plant metabolism with high antioxidant properties to reduce nephrotoxicity without side effects.

Citation

Khalifa, N., El-Kholy, T.A.F. and Al-Ghamdi, A. (2016), "The effect of green tea on opposing toxicity of acrylamide on kidney function", World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 353-362. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-01-2016-0010