The Acute Effect of Humic Acid on Iron Accumulation in Rats

Abstract

Free iron leads to the formation of pro-oxidant reactive oxygen species (ROS). Humic acids (HAs) enhance permeability of cellular wall and act as a chelator through electron transferring. This study was designed to test chelator effect of HA on iron as well as its anti-oxidant effect against the iron-induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. The rats used were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): group I (the control group); group II (the HA group), humic acid (562 mg/kg) was given over 10 days by oral gavage; group III (the iron group), iron III hydroxide polymaltose (250 mg/kg) was given over 10 days by intraperitoneal route; and group IV (the HA plus iron group), received the iron (similar to group II) plus humic acid (similar to those in groups II and III) group. Blood and two tissue samples both from liver and heart were obtained for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. Iron deposition, the iron-induced hepatotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity were demonstrated by histopathological and biochemical manner. However, no significant differences were observed in the serum biochemical values and the histopathological results among the iron and the HA plus iron groups in the liver tissue but not in the heart tissue. The protective effects of humic acid against iron-induced cardiotoxicity were shown but not against hepatotoxicity in our study.

Physicochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Humic Acids Isolated from Peat of Various Origins

“…In renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats, the therapeutic effects of HAs were associated with the prevention of oxidative stress [ 23 ]. HAs are protective against iron-induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity via their antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects [ 24 ]. Indeed, various humic substances are powerful antioxidants and possess reactive oxygen species (ROS) [superoxide anion (O 2 ·− ) and hydroxyl radical (OH•)] scavenging properties [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Effect of fulvic and humic acids on iron and manganese homeostasis in rats

“…Although HSs can combine with metal ions, oxides and clay to form water-soluble or insoluble complexes and can interact with organic compounds (Boyd et al, 1981;Livens, 1991;Islam et al, 2005), only a few studies have investigated the specific effects of FA or HA on the intestinal absorption of trace elements (Willis, 2015) and on the trace element concentrations in different organs of piglets (Zraly and Pisarikova, 2010) and rats (Cagin et al, 2016).…”

Therapeutic Efficiency of Humic Acids in Intoxications

“…Although this in vitro finding is considered a mechanism of HAs iron toxicity, in vivo effects of HAs were predominantly positive. The protective effect of HA against iron-induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity through antioxidant activity at the biochemical and histological level was confirmed by Cagin et al [76]. This effect is manifested by the reduction of ROS, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, the strengthening of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems and can be based on the ion-exchange properties of HAs.…”