ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Selenium (Se) and rutin (RUT) are antioxidants that protect against tissue damage. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the separate and combine protective effects of RUT and Se against cadmium (Cd)-induced renal damage were evaluated in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were treated by gavage to RUT (30 mg/kg) or Se (0.15 ppm) or Cd (200 ppm) in drinking water alone or in combination (30 mg/kg RUT +0.15 ppm Se + 200 ppm Cd). Corn oil was used as vehicle (2 mL/kg). After a 5-week treatment period, rat kidneys were removed for biochemical assays and histopathological examination. Se and Cd levels were evaluated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The malondialdehyde and glutathione levels as well as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the Cd-treated animals were increased compared with control values (0.056 ± 0.0003 versus 0.011 ± 0.0005 µmol/mg; 0.005 ± 0.0006 versus 0.00085 ± 0.0002 µg/mg; 1.62 ± 0.09 versus 0.48 ± 0.12 units/mg; 650 ± 25 versus 361.89 ± 31 µmol H2O2/mg, respectively). Cd treatment was also associated with decreased renal Se concentration (4.19 ± 0.92 versus 7.73 ± 0.7 µg/g dry weight), increased alkaline phosphatase (0.07 ± 0.0015 versus 0.033 ± 0.0019 unit/mg), acid phosphatase (0.029 ± 0.0021 versus 0.015 ± 0.0016 unit/mg), and lactate dehydrogenase (0.032 ± 0.004 versus 0.014 ± 0.0027 unit/mg) activities, respectively, and with evidence of severe renal damage. The combination of RUT and Se or their separate effects prevented the Cd-induced oxidative renal damage. However, their combine effects do not have stronger effects than their separate effect against Cd-induced renal damage. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: RUT and Se function as potent antioxidant in the protection of renal damage induced by Cd.
