Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) extract ameliorates ovarian damage induced by subchronic cadmium exposure in mice: Potential δ‐ALA‐D involvement

Abstract

Females are born with a finite number of oocyte-containing follicles and ovary damage results in reduced fertility. Cadmium accumulates in the reproductive system, damaging it, and the cigarette smoke is a potential exposure route. Natural therapies are relevant to health benefits and disease prevention. This study verified the effect of cadmium exposure on the ovaries of mice and the blueberry extract as a potential therapy. Blueberry therapy was effective in restoring reactive species levels and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, and partially improved the viability of cadmium-disrupted follicles. This therapy was not able to restore the 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Extract HPLC evaluation indicated the presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercetin, and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was the major substance and its concentration was 620.24 µg/mL. Thus, cadmium accumulates in the ovaries of mice after subchronic exposure, inducing cellular damage, and the blueberry extract possesses antioxidant properties that could protect, at least in part, the ovarian tissue from cadmium toxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 188-196, 2017.

Quercetin: Its Antioxidant Mechanism, Antibacterial Properties and Potential Application in Prevention and Control of Toxipathy

“…Previous research showed that quercetin treatment can prevent chronic Cd-induced oxidative stress and renal tubular damage. In addition, quercetin has shown its efficient action in the reproductive system of animals affected by the heavy metal Cd, restoring the activity of germ cells and improving the survival of follicles damaged by Cd [ 127 ]. The above studies have verified the inhibitory effects of quercetin on Cd-induced oxidative stress and other toxic functions, and further studies have shown that the combined treatment with α-tocopherol (AT) and quercetin provided more significant protection against Cd-induced oxidative stress and lipid metabolism compared with quercetin alone, thereby reducing Cd-induced cardiovascular disease [ 128 ].…”

Overview of biological effects of Quercetin on ovary

“…QUR as a natural antioxidant was used against the gonadotoxic effects of cadmium on the ovaries of rats and mice through scavenging free radicals and improving the activities of other antioxidants such as catalase, SOD, and GPx. Therefore, it improved the ovaries' health by increasing the secretion of estradiol, FSH, and LH (Izaguirry et al, 2017; Nna, Usman, Ofutet, & Owu, 2017). Since QUR is one of the main components of hydrolyzed and crude extracts of chia seeds (Reyes‐Caudillo, Tecante, & Valdivia‐López, 2008), Tarko et al used xylene, as an environmental contaminant, and different doses of chia seed extract (1, 10 and 100 ng ml −1 ) separately or together to investigate their effects on bovine ovarian cells activity (Tarko et al, 2017).…”

“…QUR as a natural antioxidant was used against the gonadotoxic effects of cadmium on the ovaries of rats and mice through scavenging free radicals and improving the activities of other antioxidants such as catalase, SOD, and GPx. Therefore, it improved the ovaries' health by increasing the secretion of estradiol, FSH, and LH (Izaguirry et al, 2017;Nna, Usman, Ofutet, & Owu, 2017). Since (Wang et al, 2018).…”

Review of polyphenol‐rich products as potential protective and therapeutic factors against cadmium hepatotoxicity

“…It is very important to notice that polyphenols are effective in offering protection from Cd toxicity to other organs and tissues, including the kidneys and skeleton, indicating the beneficial influence of these compounds on the whole organism (Aly et al, ; Baiomy & Mansour, ; Brzóska et al, ; Brzóska, Gałażyn‐Sidorczuk, et al, ; Brzóska, Rogalska, et al, ; Brzóska, Rogalska, et al, ; Farag et al, ; Izaguirry et al, ; Kopeć et al, ; Wani et al, ). Moreover, polyphenolic compounds are known to protect the liver from the hepatotoxic action of other xenobiotics such as diethylnitrosamine, Pb and As (Bingül et al, ; Choudhury et al, ; Kopeć et al, ; Winiarska‐Mieczan, ).…”

“…Available data in the literature indicate that, due to strong antioxidative properties, blueberry offers protection against oxidative stress‐related diseases (cancer, diabetes and heart disease) and inflammation, as well as improving eye condition (Routray & Orsat, ). It has been shown that blueberry extract ameliorated ovarian damage in mice subchronically exposed to Cd (Izaguirry et al, ). There is also evidence suggesting the hepatoprotective impact of blueberry under intoxication with this metal (Gong et al, ).…”