An experimental study of analgesic nephropathy in rabbit. A light microscopic study.

This experimental study of analgesic nephropathy was conducted on rabbit divided into four equal groups (A,B,C,D). Group A served as control. The drugs acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) 600 mg/Kg/day and Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 300 mg/Kg/day alone as well as combination of Acetylsalicylic acid (300 mg/Kg/day) and Paracetamol (150 mg/Kg/day) were administered orally to groups B,C and D respectively for 4 weeks. After four weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Histopathological evaluation of renal tissue of each animal revealed that control group “A” animals did not show any abnormality. The acetylsalicylic acid treated group “B” showed acute pyelonephritis (71%), mild pyelitis (14%) and congestion of renal pelvis (14%). The group “C” receiving paracetamol revealed acute pyelonephritis (14%), acute pyelitis (43%), pelvic congestion (14%) and no change in 28% animals. The group “0” receiving combination of acetylsalicylic acid and Paracetamol showed interstitial nephritis (14%), acute pyelitis (14%), cloudy swelling (14%) and pelvic congestion in 43% animals. This study indicates that acetylsalicylic acid is more injurious to kidneys than paracetamol and these drugs do not have potentiating effect (JPMA 38:113 , 1988).