Ameliorating effects of quercetin and chrysin on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the beneficial effects of the quercetin (Q) and chrysin (CH) against nephrotoxicity induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a persistent environmental contaminant, in rats. Rats were divided randomly into six equal groups. TCDD, Q and CH were administered by gavages dissolved in corn oil at the doses of 2 µg/kg/week, 20 mg/kg/day and 50 mg/kg/day, respectively. The kidney samples were taken from all rats on day 60 for the determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels by spectrophotometric method. The results indicated that TCDD significantly induced lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant activities in rats. In contrast, Q and CH significantly prevented toxic effects of TCDD via increased GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD levels but decreased formation of TBARS. Also, it was determined that exposure to TCDD leads to significant histological damage in kidney tissue, and these effects can be eliminated with Q and CH treatment. In conclusion, the current study showed that exposure to TCDD can exert nephrotoxicity in rats. When Q and CH were given together with TCDD, they prevented nephrotoxic effects of TCDD. Their preventive effect lends more support to the role of oxidative and histological damage in the overall toxicity of TCDD.