Introduction: Aflatoxin B1 is a highly toxic mycotoxin. Dates are considered curative plants which are highly effective
antidotes.
Aim: This study is to investigate the induced histological & histochemical effects of AFB1 on the renal cortex of adult male
albino rats & the possible ameliorative role of dates.
Materials and Methods: Sixty male adult albino rats were utilized. They were divided into four main groups: control group < br />(group I) (n=20), dates treated group (group II) (n=10), Aflatoxin B1 treated group (group III) (n=20), we sacrificed half of
them after 2 weeks (subgroup IIIa) and the other half left without any treatment for another 2 weeks as a recovery subgroup < br />(subgroup IIIb), and Aflatoxin and dates treated group (group IV) (n=10). At the end of study, animals were anesthetized
for taking the blood samples for kidney function then kidneys were dissected out and processed it for histological and
immunohistochemical study.
Results: H&E stained sections of subgroup IIIa showed various degenerative changes of renal cortex, together with increased
collagen deposition as denoted by Mallory stain. There was intense PAS reaction in Bowman's capsule and basement membrane
of renal tubules. Electron microscopic results were matched with light microscopic results. Immunohistochemical revealed
intensive PAX2 in podocytes. Recovery subgroup reveled partial enhancement. Examination of group IV showed that renal
cortex nearly normal architecture.
Conclusion: AFB1 has severe damaging effects on renal cortex. These effects were partially improved after cessation of
treatment. But these effects are extremely attenuated with dates.