Beneficial effects of aluminum on the progression of lead-induced nephropathy in rats.

We studied the effect of aluminum on lead-induced nephropathy in male albino rats. Five groups of male albino rats were given either water only or lead acetate (125 mg/kg body weight) and/or aluminum chloride (50 mg/kg body weight or 100 mg/kg body weight) for a period of 90 days. Aluminum was found to prevent the lead-induced increase in the relative organ (kidney) weight in a dose-dependent manner. Aluminum also prevented lead-induced increase in plasma creatinine levels of the treated animals. Estimation of lead concentration in kidneys of different treatment groups revealed that the net deposition of lead was lower in animals which were given both lead acetate and aluminum chloride simultaneously. The results showed that aluminum offers some protection against lead-induced nephrotoxicity in a time- and dose-dependent manner.