EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID ADMINISTRATION ON THE KIDNEYS OF RATS EXPOSED TO ETHANOL

This study investigated the effect of Vitamin C administration on the kidneys of rats exposed to ethanol. Twenty adult male Wistar rats (166–257 g) were divided into four groups (n=5). Group A served as control and received feed with distilled water, Group B was given Vitamin C (5 mg/kg orally), Group C received 40% ethanol (5 ml/kg orally), and Group D was treated with ethanol (5 ml/kg orally) for 21 days followed by Vitamin C (5 mg/kg orally) for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed, and kidneys harvested for histological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test at p0.05), descriptive trends indicated reduced mean body weight in ethanol-treated rats compared with control, with partial recovery observed following Vitamin C administration. Ethanol exerts nephrotoxic effects characterized by structural renal damage, whereas Vitamin C demonstrates potential protective and restorative effects on renal histo-architecture in ethanol-exposed rats. This highlights the therapeutic potential of Vitamin C in mitigating ethanol-induced kidney injury.