Can Cranberry Juice Protect against Rotenone-Induced Toxicity in Rats?

Abstract

The high polyphenols content of cranberry accounts for its strong antioxidant activity underlying the beneficial health effects of this fruit. Rotenone (ROT) is a specific inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I in the brain which leads to the generation of oxidative stress. To date, there are few data indicating that toxicity of ROT is not limited to the brain but can also affect other tissues. We aimed to examine whether ROT-induced oxidative stress could be counteracted by cranberry juice not only in the brain but also in the liver and kidney. Wistar rats were given the combined treatment with ROT and cranberry juice (CJ) for 35 days. Parameters of antioxidant status were determined in the organs. ROT enhanced lipid peroxidation solely in the brain. The increase in the DNA damage was noticed in all organs examined and in leukocytes. The beneficial effect of CJ on these parameters appeared only in the brain. Additionally, CJ decreased the activity of serum hepatic enzymes. The effect of CJ on antioxidant enzymes was not consistent, however, in some organs, CJ reversed changes evoked by ROT. Summing up, ROT can cause oxidative damage not only in the brain but also in other organs. CJ demonstrated a protective effect against ROT-induced toxicity.

Neuroprotective Effects of Cranberry Juice Treatment in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

“…The catecholaldehyde hypothesis for the pathogenesis of PD imputes deleterious interactions between ROS-induced aldehydes, especially dopamine-derived 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) and α-synuclein leading to oligomerization of the protein [ 39 ]. Our previous findings that CJ ameliorated lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and elevated activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) detoxifying DOPAL in the brain [ 25 ] support the protective effect of CJ treatment on ROT-induced α-synuclein accumulation.…”

“…Cranberry fruit containing high quantities of PPs, such as anthocyanins and F3O, also in the condensed form of PACs [ 9 ], represents the potential of neuroprotective activity as well. CJ treatment attenuates oxidative stress in several organs, with the most noticeable effect in the brain [ 25 ].…”

“…Commercial 6-fold concentrated cranberry juice (CJ) by Alter Medica (Żywiec, Poland), which was characterized previously in our laboratory [ 25 ], has been used in this experiment. Cranberry juice (CJ) was given to rats intragastrically ( i.g. )…”

“…Beginning from the 11th day, animals were injected once daily for thirty-five days with ROT to induce PD. ROT (Sigma-Aldrich, Poznań, Poland) dissolved in helianthi oleum raffinatum (FAGRON a.s., Olomouc, Czech Republic) was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg b.w./day [ 25 ]. Forty-four rats were divided randomly into four groups, with 11 animals in each, as depicted in Table 1 .…”

“…In aging rats, cranberry PPs have been shown to improve muscle tone, strength, and balance, accompanied by enhanced neuronal functioning and the brain’s ability to respond to stress [ 23 ]. Recently, we have shown that cranberry juice treatment controlled oxidative stress in several organs, with the most notable effect in the brain [ 25 ]. This study aimed to extend the research by examining cranberry juice’s capability to modulate the apoptosis mechanism and thereby provide neuroprotection in a rat model of parkinsonism induced by ROT.…”