<![CDATA[Heavy metal contamination in urban aquatic environments represents an important threat to fish health because persistent metals can bioaccumulate and induce structural and functional alterations in vital organs. This study aimed to evaluate the association between lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) exposure and renal histopathological alterations in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from contaminated urban waters. A quantitative observational comparative approach was applied by examining fish from contaminated and reference sites. Heavy metal concentrations were determined in water and kidney tissues, while renal alterations were assessed through Hematoxylin–Eosin histopathology and semi-quantitative lesion scoring. Urea and creatinine were evaluated as complementary renal indicators, and correlation analysis was performed to examine associations among metal burdens, tissue damage, and biochemical alterations. Fish from contaminated sites exhibited higher metal accumulation and more severe tubular degeneration, epithelial vacuolation, tubular necrosis, glomerular abnormalities, vascular congestion, and inflammatory responses. Heavy metal concentrations were positively associated with renal damage severity, with cadmium showing the strongest relationship. These findings demonstrate that integrating metal accumulation, renal histopathology, and biochemical indicators provides a comprehensive approach for assessing contaminant-associated fish health and supports common carp as a potential sentinel species for urban freshwater biomonitoring.]]>
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