Abstract
Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental toxic heavy metal. Naringin (Nar) is reported to have a protective effect on Cd-induced liver injury. This study aimed to explore the hepatic injury induced by Cd and the protective effects of Nar on Cd-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat liver. Methods: In accordance with groups, male SD rats were injected intraperitoneally with Cd and orally with Nar every day. The treatment period was 3 weeks. Body weight, the morphological changes in liver, the activity of antioxidant indices and expression of the apoptotic genes caspase-3 and -9 were assessed. Result: Results showed that the body weight of Cd-exposed rats decreased, the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in liver decreased, the glutathione content decreased and the malondialdehyde content increased. Further, Cd-induced hepatic structural damage and cell apoptosis were observed. However, Nar could alleviate liver damage caused by Cd. Therefore, Cd caused oxidative damage and cell apoptosis in rat liver, while Nar had preventive and ameliorative effects on these injuries.
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