Effect of astaxanthin on kidney function impairment and oxidative stress induced by mercuric chlorid.pdf

Available online at Food and Chemical Toxicology 46 (2008) 212–219 /locate/foodchemtox Effect of astaxanthin on kidney function impairment and oxidative stress induced by mercuric chloride in rats P.R. Augusti a, G.M.M. Conterato a, S. Somacal b, R. Sobieski b, P.R. Spohr b, J.V. Torres b, M.F. Charao d, A.M. Moro d, M.P. Rocha c, S.C. Garcia d, T. Emanuelli b,* ˜ a Post-graduate Program on Toxicological Biochemistry, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil b Integrated Center for Laboratory Analysis Development (NIDAL), Department of Alimentary Technology and Science, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil c Department of Pathology, Center of Health Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil d Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Center of Health Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil Received 3 February 2007; accepted 1 August 2007 Abstract Reactive oxygen species are implicated as mediators of tissue damage in the acute renal failure induced by inorganic mercury. Asta- xanthin (ASX), a carotenoid with potent antioxidant properties, exists naturally in various plants, algae, and seafoods. This paper eval- uated the ability of ASX to prevent HgCl2 nephrotoxicity. Rats were injected with HgCl2 (0 or 5 mg/kg b.w., sc) 6 h after ASX had been administered (0, 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg, by gavage) and were killed 12 h a