Devi Purnamasari Sasongko, Dian Eurike Septyaningtrias, Rina Susilowati
Trimethyltin (TMT) is widely used to model hippocampal degeneration in rodents, but its effects on the kidney are poorly understood. This study investigated renal function, histology, inflammation, and Klotho expression in TMT-exposed rats. Ten male Sprague–Dawley rats (8–10 weeks) were divided into control and TMT groups (n = 5 each). TMT-treated rats received a single intraperitoneal dose (8 mg/kg). On day 28, serum urea and creatinine were measured. Kidney morphology was examined by Hematoxylin–Eosin and Periodic Acid Schiff staining. TNF-α and Klotho localization were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and Klotho and Nrf2 mRNA levels were quantified by qPCR. Body weight and renal function were similar between groups, indicating preserved kidney function. Histology revealed mild inflammatory cell infiltration in TMT-exposed kidneys and PAS staining showed mesangial expansion. TNF-α expression increased in distal tubules, while Klotho protein was elevated in cortical distal and medullary tubules, with higher semiquantitative scores than controls. Klotho and Nrf2 mRNA levels remained unchanged, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation. At 28 days post-TMT exposure, kidneys showed mild inflammation without functional impairment. Increased Klotho protein likely reflects a compensatory adaptive response to stress, indicating renal protective mechanisms following systemic TMT toxicity. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to The Japanese Society for Clinical Molecular Morphology 2026.
Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jalan Farmako Sekip Utara, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
