Maize Purple Plant Pigment Protects Against Fluoride-Induced Oxidative Damage of Liver and Kidney in Rats

Zhuo Zhang,Hiaohong Wang,Yingli Song,Bo Zhou,Shengnan Liu,Fei Wang,Shuhua Xi

doi:10.3390/ijerph110101020

Abstract

Anthocyanins are polyphenols and well known for their biological antioxidative benefits. Maize purple plant pigment (MPPP) extracted and separated from maize purple plant is rich in anthocyanins. In the present study, MPPP was used to alleviate the adverse effects generated by fluoride on liver and kidney in rats. The results showed that the ultrastructure of the liver and kidney in fluoride treated rats displayed shrinkage of nuclear and cell volume, swollen mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and vacuols formation in the liver and kidney cells. MPPP significantly attenuated these fluoride-induced pathological changes. The MDA levels in serum and liver tissue of fluoride alone treated group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The presence of 5 g/kg MPPP in the diet reduced the elevation of MDA levels in blood and liver, and increased the SOD and GSH-Px activities in kidney and GSH level in liver and kidney compared with the fluoride alone treated group (p < 0.05). In addition, MPPP alleviated the decrease of Bcl-2 protein expression and the increase of Bax protein expression induced by fluoride. This study demonstrated the protective role of MPPP against fluoride-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney of rats.

Highlights

IntroductionIn addition to its well-known effects on the skeleton and teeth, fluorosis can adversely affect soft tissues, such as the liver and kidneys [1,2]
Fluoride is widely distributed in the natural environment and can lead to fluorosis due to excessive fluoride intake in many parts of the World
According to the daily water consumption and feed consumption of rats during the course of treatment, the real average amount of Maize purple plant pigment (MPPP) intake of rats was 0.045 g MPPP/100 g body weight/day for the group of diet mixed with 5 g/kg MPPP and 0.094 g MPPP/100 g body weight/day for the group of diet mixed with 10 g/kg

Summary

Introduction

In addition to its well-known effects on the skeleton and teeth, fluorosis can adversely affect soft tissues, such as the liver and kidneys [1,2]. The mechanisms by which fluoride produces such effects are still not clear. There is abundant literature reporting that fluoride increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals, causes extensive oxidative stress and excessive lipid peroxidation, and reduces antioxidant enzyme activities in vivo or in vitro [3]. The oxidative stress has been considered an important mechanism of fluoride intoxication [4]. Fluoride can cross cell membranes by simple diffusion and enter soft tissues. Numerous studies have revealed that excessive amounts of fluoride disturb the metabolic processes and detoxication capabilities of the liver [5]. Fluoride-induced necrosis, modifications of membrane lipids and apoptosis in hepatocytes [6], are associated with oxidative stress. There was a close correlation between fluoride intake and renal injury

Results

Discussion

Conclusion