Effect of Citric Acid as Food Additive on the Renal Function of Experimental Rats

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of oral administration of citric acid on the renal functions of white American rats. Thirty two rats were divided into four groups (8 rats each). One group serves as a control. The rest of the three groups were differently treated (at rates of 100, 500 and 1250 mg kg-1 body weight were applied) with citric acid. Compared to the control, sudden (p<0.05) increase in the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in the rats with increasing the dose of citric acid (100 - 1250 mg kg-1 body weight) was observed. Results also revealed an insignificant difference in serum creatinine and urea nitrogen on administering citric acid. Kidney changes in the rats received different doses of citric acid was observed.