| 17516994 |
Augusti PR, Conterato GM, Somacal S, Einsfeld L, Ramos AT, Hosomi FY, Graca DL, Emanuelli T: Effect of lycopene on nephrotoxicity induced by mercuric chloride in rats. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2007 Jun;100(6):398-402.
Oxidative stress is an important molecular mechanism for kidney injury in mercury poisoning. We studied lycopene, a potent carotenoid found in tomatoes due to its large antioxidant properties, and also evaluated the ability of lycopene to prevent HgCl (2) nephrotoxicity. Rats were injected with HgCl (2) (0 or 5 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously) 6 hr after lycopene administration (0, 10, 25 or 50 mg/kg by gavage) and were killed 12 hr after HgCl (2) exposure. HgCl (2)-induced inhibition of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity (approximately 35%) and increase of lipid peroxidation in kidney (approximately 37%) were prevented by lycopene. However, lycopene did not prevent the increase of plasma creatinine levels (approximately 123%) and renal tubular necrosis induced by HgCl (2). Glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were enhanced (approximately 71% and approximately 41%), while superoxide dismutase activity was depressed (approximately 44%) in HgCl (2)-treated rats when compared to control and these effects were prevented by lycopene. Our results indicate that although lycopene did not prevent HgCl (2)-induced renal failure, it could play a beneficial role against HgCl (2) toxicity by preventing lipid peroxidation and changes in the activity of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase and antioxidant enzymes. |
1(0,0,0,1) |