Changes in Serum Electrolytes, Urea and Creatinine in Nicotiana tabacum-treated Rats

Abstract

Tobacco, a product of Nicotiana tabacum (N. tabacum) is composed of nicotine as its primary active ingredient. Nicotine has been reported to be the major cause of tobacco addiction with consequent renal implications. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum on serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine levels as indices of renal function in male Wistar rats. Eighteen male Wistar rats weighing between 140 to 230g were used for this study. The animals were divided randomly into three groups: A, B and C; with each group containing 6 rats. Group A served as control while Group B and C were orally administered sublethal doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight of the N. tabacum extract respectively once per day for 21 days. At the end of the experimental observations, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemical assay. The results showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the serum concentration of sodium, potassium and urea levels of rats treated with the extract when compared with the control. However, serum concentrations of chloride, bicarbonate and creatinine showed no significant appreciable differences between the treated groups and the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the study showed that aqueous extract of Nicotiana tabacum is associated with renal dysfunction with consequent hypernatremia and hyperkalemia, and may also suggest impaired urea clearance by the kidneys in male Wistar rats.