Oxidative Stress Markers and Histological Analysis in Diverse Organs from Rats Treated with a Hepatotoxic Dose of Cr(VI): Effect of Curcumin

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds are extremely toxic and carcinogenic. Despite the vast quantity of reports about Cr(VI) toxicity, the information regarding its effects when it is intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered is still limited. In contrast, it has been shown that curcumin prevents hepatotoxicity induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). This study aims to evaluate oxidative stress markers, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the potential histological injury in brain, heart, lung, kidney, spleen, pancreas, stomach, and intestine from rats treated with a hepatotoxic dose of K2Cr2O7 (15 mg/kg b.w.), and the effect of curcumin pretreatment. Rats were divided into four groups: control, curcumin, K2Cr2O7, and curcumin+K2Cr2O7. At the end of the treatment, plasma and ascites fluid were collected and target organs were dissected out for biochemical and histological analysis. K2Cr2O7 induced hepatotoxicity but failed to induce in all the other studied organs either oxidative or histological injury, since levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and related GSH enzymes were unchanged. As expected, curcumin was safe. Lack of K2Cr2O7-induced toxicity in those target organs could be due to the following: (1) route of administration, (2) absorption through the portal circulation, (3) lower dose than needed, (4) short time of exposure, or (5) repeated doses are required to produce damage. Thus, the intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg of K2Cr2O7, that is able to induce hepatotoxicity, was unable to induce histological and oxidative damage in other target organs.

The Role of Dietary Antioxidants in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Their Impact on Cerebral Oxidoreductive Balance

“…In Swiss mice poisoned with prooxidative lead acetate, it was observed that curcumin has positive effects at the level of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, where increased levels of serotonin and decreased levels of dopamine were reported, while no such effects were observed in the striatum [151]. Similar results were observed in the brains of rats poisoned with K 2 Cr 2 O 7 [102] and (CH 3 COO) 2 Pb [101].…”

Effects of chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium in water on oxidative stress parameters in Wistar rats

“…These results are congruent with the research accomplished by García-Niño et al (2015), who analyzed the effects of Cr (VI) in the kidneys and confirmed the study of Tagliari, Vargas, Zimiani, and Cecchini (2004), in which the rats' livers were investigated and, in both studies, there was no increase in the levels of MDA. However, these studies were accomplished with acute exposures and intraperitoneal injections of Cr (VI), differently from our study, in which we used chronic exposure and contamination of water with Cr (VI) in an animal model.…”

“…It should be noted that most of the studies above-mentioned (Tagliari et al, 2004;Parveen et al, 2009;Balakrishnan et al, 2013;García-Niño et al, 2015) were performed with acute exposures and by injections, either intraperitoneal or subcutaneous. Our study, however, was accomplished by chronic treatment and oral exposure with water ad libitum, and it obtained significant results that corroborate to studies with another exposure route.…”

Licochalcone E protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

“…Several studies demonstrate that numerous inflammatory cytokines are produced in hepatotoxic liver tissues ( 7 ). In addition, oxidative damage is considered as a mechanism that contributes to the initiation and progression of hepatic damage in a variety of liver disorders ( 8 , 9 ). Therefore, anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidants obtained from plants represent a logical therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver diseases.…”