Background: Hyperlipidemia is considered a major medical and social problem leading to increasing
morbidity and mortality. Disturbed lipid metabolism has been considered the possible cause of renal disease.
Alkaline ionized water (AIW) was described to have impressive effects in prevention of lifestyle diseases.
Aim of the work: To study the ability of alkaline ionized water to diminish the destructive effects of
hyperlipidemia on the renal cortex of the adult albino rats.
Material and Methods: Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups, ten rats each. Group (1)
control rats, group (2) ten rats received AIW for twelve weeks, group (3) hyperlipidemic group: ten rats
were received HFD daily for twelve weeks and group (4): ten rats received HFD daily for twelve weeks
and AIW .
Results: Examination of the kidney of group (3) showed shrunken glomeruli with obliterated Bowman's
space, dilated tubules with luminal hyaline casts and wide interstitial spaces with mononuclear cellular
infiltrations. PAS-stained sections revealed strong positive reaction of the glomerular basement membrane,
the tubular basement membrane and thickened Bowman's capsule. The brush border of the proximal
tubules showed weak and disrupted reaction. Ultrastructurally, glomerular capillaries showed lipoprotein
accumulation. Numerous lipid droplets were observed in the convoluted tubules especially the proximal
tubules. The convoluted tubules showed also fragmented or swollen mitochondria. The lipid profile of this
group showed the highest values of TC, TG and LDL and reduction of HDL. Examination of group (4)
revealed that most of the glomerular capillaries retained their normal appearance together preserved lining
epithelium of the convoluted tubules. The lipid profile of this group showed significant improvement as
compared to group 3.
Conclusion: Consumption of AIW could protect the kidney from hyperlipidemia-induced deleterious effects
by preventing renal cortical damage and disturbed serum lipids associated with dietary hyperlipidemia.