Abstract
The kidney is among the metabolic organs most susceptible to injury, particularly following exposure to xenobiotics and heavy metals. We aimed to explore the potential protective impacts of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on lead acetate (PbAc)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Four experimental groups (n = 7) were applied as follows: control group, CoQ10 alone (10 mg/kg), PbAc alone (20 mg/kg), and PbAc with CoQ10. Exposure to PbAc led to the accumulation of Pb in the kidney and increased urea and creatinine serum levels. The deposition of Pb coupled with the elevation of malondialdehyde and nitrate/nitrite levels along with the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Additionally, upon PbAc poisoning, glutathione content and the antioxidant enzymes were depleted along with the downregulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. Moreover, PbAc injection increased the protein and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines namely, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta, while decreased the levels of interleukin-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in the kidney. Furthermore, exposure to PbAc correlated with increased levels of pro-apoptotic markers, Bax and caspase-3, and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2. The administration of CoQ10 alleviated the molecular, biochemical and histological changes following PbAc intoxication. Thus, CoQ10 reduces the deleterious cellular side effects of PbAc exposure due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.
Highlights
Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring heavy metal in the earth’s crust; its widespread extraction and excessive use in anthropogenic activities have contaminated the environment and increased human exposure rate, resulting in the development of significant public health problems worldwide (Wani et al, 2015)
The treatment with PbAc and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) decreased the level of Pb when compared to the PbAc exposed group, reflecting that CoQ10 may have a potential chelating activity or may augment the excretion of Pb from the body (Figure 1)
PbAc injected rats showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the assessed renal function indices when compared to their levels in the control group
Summary
Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring heavy metal in the earth’s crust; its widespread extraction and excessive use in anthropogenic activities have contaminated the environment and increased human exposure rate, resulting in the development of significant public health problems worldwide (Wani et al, 2015). CoQ10 Inhibits Pb-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats most toxic form), metallic lead and inorganic lead (di- and tetravalent salts) (Patrick, 2006). Pb exposure causes serious health hazards in animals and humans including various forms of cancer, gastrointestinal problems, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, central nervous system impairments and cardiovascular diseases (Korsrud and Meldrum, 1988; Abdel Moneim, 2016; Dkhil et al, 2016; Sy et al, 2019)
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