Protective effect of quercetin on experimental chronic cadmium nephrotoxicity in rats is based on its antioxidant properties

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 44; no. 12; pp. 2092 - 2100
• Main Authors: Morales, A.I., Vicente-Sánchez, C., Sandoval, J.M. Santiago, Egido, J., Mayoral, P., Arévalo, M.A., Fernández-Tagarro, M., López-Novoa, J.M., Pérez-Barriocanal, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2006; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: animal models; Animals; antinutritional factors; antioxidant activity; Antioxidants; Biological and medical sciences; blood glucose; Cadmium; Cadmium - toxicity; Cadmium Poisoning - etiology; Cadmium Poisoning - metabolism; Cadmium Poisoning - prevention & control; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Chronic Disease; creatine; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Antagonism; enzymes; Free Radical Scavengers - therapeutic use; glutathione reductase (NADPH); Glutathione Reductase - metabolism; heavy metals; Kidney; Kidney Diseases - chemically induced; Kidney Diseases - drug therapy; Kidney Diseases - metabolism; Kidney Function Tests; Kidney Tubules, Proximal - drug effects; Kidney Tubules, Proximal - ultrastructure; kidneys; lipid peroxidation; Male; Medical sciences; metabolic detoxification; Metals and various inorganic compounds; nephrotoxicity; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; plant-based foods; proteins; Quercetin; Quercetin - therapeutic use; Rats; Rats, Wistar; serum albumin; soybean products; superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Toxicology; urine; Cd; Cadmium; ALP; MT; Rats; SOD; TBARS; GR; Kidney; Antioxidants; NCSS; GGT; NAG; ROS; Quercetin; ICP-MS; Kidney disease; Urinary system disease; Rat; Toxicity; Rodentia; Antioxidant; Flavonoid; Heavy metal; Prevention; Polyphenol; Vertebrata; Chronic; Mammalia; Animal; Plant origin; Phenols; Antidote
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2006.07.012

Oxidative stress can play a key role in Cd-induced dysfunctions. Quercetin is a potent oxygen free radicals scavenger and a metal chelator. Our aim was to study the effect of quercetin on Cd-induced kidney damage and oxidative stress as well as its mechanism of action. Wistar rats were distributed in four experimental groups: control rats; Cd; quercetin and Cd
+
quercetin. Renal toxicity was evaluated by measuring urinary excretion of proteins, albumin, glucose and enzymes markers of tubular necrosis, as well as plasma concentration of creatinine. Plasma TBARS concentration and activity of antioxidant enzymes in kidney were also measured. Renal cell damage was assessed by electron microscopy. Animals that received both Cd and quercetin showed a better renal function than those receiving Cd alone. Cd-induced tubular lesions were markedly reduced in rats that also received quercetin. Cd-induced increase in plasma TBARS was prevented by the administration of quercetin. Total plasma antioxidants and renal superoxide dismutase and glutathione-reductase activities were higher in the group that received Cd and quercetin than in rats that received Cd alone. Quercetin administration does not modify the renal content or the urinary excretion of Cd. In conclusion, quercetin treatment prevents renal tubular damage and increased oxidative stress induced by chronic Cd administration, most probably throughout its antioxidant properties.