Effects of Aluminum Trichloride on Structure and Function of Kidney in Chickens

To investigate the effects of aluminum trichloride (AlCl₃) on renal structure and function in chickens, the chickens were injected continuously with different gradient AlCl₃ for 60 days to establish sub-chronic aluminum (Al) intoxication model. The Al concentration in serum and kidney, contents of creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum were detected, and the renal structure was also observed by optical microscope. The results showed that the Al concentration in serum and kidney, the contents of Cr and BUN in serum were significantly higher in Al-treated chickens than those in the control group (P<0.05; P<0.01) and there was an AlCl₃ dose-depended manner. Histopathologically, in the low dose group, acinus renis swelled mildly and there were no apparent pathological changes in nephric tubule and proximal convoluted tubule. In the middle and high dose group, acinus renis swelled, glomerular cells increased, nephric tubule cloudy swelled, and epithelial cells of proximal convoluted tubule swelled. The results indicated that sub-chronic Al exposure impaired the renal structure and function in chickens.