Effects extract of peanuts and pomegranate powder on the lipid profile and tissue structure of the kidneys following the poisoning of experimental cadmium in Japanese quail

Cadmium is a trace metal that chronic exposure to it leads to poisoning in humans and animals. This heavy and toxic metal has deleterious effects on vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and immune system. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of extract and powder of peel of pomegranate on the lipid profile and tissue structure of the kidneys following the experimental cadmium poisoning in Japanese quail. For this purpose, five hundred and ten 7-day-old quail chicks were divided into 10 equal groups. Group 1) and Group 2) were selected as negative control and cadmium control (20 ppm) respectively; Group (3) and Group (4) received 0.1% and 0.2% pomegranate peel extract with 20 ppm of cadmium, Group (5) received 1% pomegranate peel powder with 20 ppm of cadmium; group (6) received 2% pomegranate peel powder along with 20 ppm of cadmium; Group (7) received 0.2% pomegranate peel extract; Group (8) received 0.1% pomegranate peel extract; Group (9) received 1% pomegranate peel powder; Group (10) received 2% pomegranate peel powder. On day 42, blood samples were collected from the brachial vein, and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 15 minutes. The plasma was isolated from samples and kept at -20°C until lipid profile analysis. The concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the serum of birds in different groups were determined using specific kits (Pars Azmoon -Iran). The low density lipoprotein (LDL) was evaluated using Friedewald equation. Then, the birds were slaughtered and the kidney samples were removed from the abdominal area and transferred to formalin. 5 micrometers sections were prepared and stereological study was performed using a point grid. The statistical analysis was performed using One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey multiple comparison tests using 5% level of significance. All results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (S.D). The results showed that the highest number of proximal tubes was in the 1% pomegranate peel powder group which was significantly higher than the positive control group (p