Study of histopathological & physiological effects of leflunomide on kidneys in male albino mice

Aim: to observe the effect of exposure of leflunomide on kidney,serum levels of creatinine & urea by giving variable doses of leflunomide. methods: thirty adult male albino mice were divided into three groups. the first group considered as control group was given normal saline orally. the second group was given leflunomide orally (20mg/kg b.w ) & leflunomide was given orally ( 60mg/kg b.w) to the third group . two physiological parameters were checked i.e.,serum urea & creatinine levels. results: the results revealed significant increase in serum urea level (p<0.05) in second group compared to control group & significantly raised serum urea level (p<0.05) in comparison to control group . a significant increase (p<0.05) in serum urea level was observed in third group compared to second. no significant (p>0.05) increase was observed in serum creatinine level in second group compared to control where as significantly increased (p< 0.05) serum level of creatinine was seen in third group compared to control. light microscopic study of kidneys of second group revealed enlargement of renal tubules & mononuclear cells infiltration between renal tubules. the third group showed acute cellular degeneration of epithelial lining of renal tubules with glomerular atrophy. neutrophils are also present in congested blood vessels between tubules. conclusion: the results of study confirmed that leflunomide caused a significantly raised serum urea & creatinine levels. light microscopic changes on kidney tissue of treated mice were also observed .