Liver is one of the targets of cadmium (Cd) bioaccumulation for hepatic damage and pathologies via oxidative inflammation and apoptosis. The current study explored whether the citrus flavonoid naringenin (NAR) could prevent hepatic accumulation of Cd and Cd hepatotoxicity in a rat model. Rats in group 1 received normal saline; group 2 received NAR (50 mg/kg body weight); group 3 received CdCl2 (5 mg/kg body weight); group 4 received NAR + CdCl2, for four consecutive weeks. Assays related to markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis were carried out using liver homogenate. Blood and liver sample analyses revealed significant elevation of blood and hepatic Cd levels coupled with prominent increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, whereas the albumin and total protein levels were decreased considerably. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxide (GPx) activities diminished significantly compared to control followed by marked increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and dysregulation in caspase and cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10) levels. However, it was found that in the rats administered NAR + Cd, the levels of Cd, hepatic enzymes, MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, and caspases-3/-9 were prominently reduced compared to the Cd group. The hepatic SOD, CAT, GPx, IL-4, IL-10, albumin, and total protein were markedly elevated along with alleviated hepatic histopathological abrasions. Taken together therefore, NAR is a potential flavonoid for blocking hepatic Cd bioaccumulation and consequent inhibition of Cd-induced oxidative inflammation and apoptotic effects on the liver of rats.
Keywords: Cadmium; antioxidants; bioaccumulation; hepatotoxicity; naringenin; toxicants.