Effects of Curcumin on the Renal Toxicity Induced by Ochratoxin A in Rats

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a powerful nephrotoxin and the severity of its damage to kidneys depends on both the dose and duration of exposure. According to the scientific data currently available, the mechanism of action still is not completely clarified, but it is supposed that oxidative stress is responsible for OTA-induced nephrotoxicity. Bioactive compound use has emerged as a potential approach to reduce chronic renal failure. Therefore, curcumin (CURC), due to its therapeutic effects, has been chosen for our study to reduce the toxic renal effects induced by OTA. CURC effects are examined in Sprague Dawley rats treated with CURC (100 mg/kg), alone or in combination with OTA (0.5 mg/kg), by gavage daily for 14 days. The end result of the experiment finds rats treated with OTA show alterations in biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in the kidney, related to a decrease in the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Conversely, the administration of CURC attenuates oxidative stress and prevents glomerular hyperfiltration versus the OTA group. Furthermore, kidney histological tests show a reduction in glomerular and tubular damage, inflammation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. This study shows that CURC can mitigate OTA–induced oxidative damage in the kidneys of rats.

Antioxidative Effects of Curcumin on the Hepatotoxicity Induced by Ochratoxin A in Rats

“…The liver is constantly negatively affected by various xenobiotics and free radicals, as it is the organ in charge of biotransformation processes. In fact, several studies reported CURC as a scavenger for the oxygen-derived free radicals [ 34 , 57 ]. In this study, we analyzed the main serum biomarkers essential for the determination of liver injury [ 58 , 59 ], and we found, in rats treated with OTA for 14 days, a significant increase in serum aminotransferases (ALT and AST) and ALP that suggests damage to the liver cells.…”

“…This study, according to the studies of Emad et al [ 59 ] and Omowumi et al [ 60 ], allows us to hypothesize that CURC increases protein synthesis in liver cells damaged by OTA for a regenerative effect on liver tissue. Mycotoxins cause the release of free radicals, induce lipid peroxidation, and change the antioxidant status of cells, leading to oxidative stress [ 34 , 61 ]. Therefore, in this study, we have evaluated the activity of the main antioxidant enzymes, namely CAT, SOD, and GPx, which play a key role in protecting against oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species [ 62 ].…”

“…At the end of the treatment, rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and the kidney and liver were removed to measure the oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation and were partially prepared for routine histopathology. Kidney results are reported in our previous paper [ 34 ] where CURC has shown a good recovery of kidney damage induced by OTA.…”

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the AhR, Smad2/3, and HIF-1α Pathways as the Mechanism of Ochratoxin A Toxicity in Kidney Cells

“…OTA has various possible targets such as the liver, immune system, heart and brain; however, owing to the function of the organ, its main target is the kidneys [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The kidneys balance the metabolism of salt and water, regulate the levels of electrolytes in blood, and play several important physiological roles including maintaining the stable composition of blood and secretion of hormones [ 13 , 14 ].…”

The Impact of the Nephrotoxin Ochratoxin A on Human Renal Cells Studied by a Novel Co-Culture Model Is Influenced by the Presence of Fibroblasts

“…Due to its excretory function, the kidney is threatened by a variety of harmful substances such as drugs or food contaminants, like mycotoxins leading to acute or—even worse—chronic kidney diseases with a prevalence of about 10% [ 1 , 2 ]. To understand the mechanisms of the nephrotoxic action it is helpful to find strategies to alleviate these detrimental scenarios and many studies have been performed to solve the question of why and how kidneys are endangered [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”