Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an artificial compound that has been widely used in milk and water bottles, medical equipments, food containers. It is known to be toxic to mammalian cells. Extensive studies have suggested potential links between BPA exposure and diseases including cancer, obesity, diabetes and disorders of the reproductive, neuroendocrine and immune systems. Recent evidence has also identified the renal system as a potential target of BPA. These findings suggest that BPA exposure may be a risk factor for a range of renal abnormalities such as renal injuries & renal dysfunction. The present study investigated the ability of BPA to cause renal toxicity via aberration in the expression of oxidative stress, histopathological, apoptotic changes in pregnant rats. 2nd and 3 rd groups of pregnant rats were orally administered BPA at 50mg/kg/b.wt/day (2ndgroup) & 500mg/kg/b.wt/day (3rd group) for gestational day 8th to 15th. The first group was given sesame oil with vehicle. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of BPA in kidney of pregnant rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes like- SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were seen to be decreased significantly in both doses; while, the level of MDA, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, was increased in BPA treated rats. Histo pathological alterations were observed in the sections of treated kidney tissues. Caspase-3 activity levels were increased & Bcl2 activity levels were decreased in treated group’s kidney tissues as compared to control group. The study showed that, BPA induced nephro toxicity through oxidative stress and by altering the apoptotic path way involved. In this review, we discuss these recent findings that point to the potential nephro toxicity of BPA, and highlight the knowledge gaps in this growing research area.
