The Role of Deferoxamine and Quercetin on The Short Term Chronic Toxicity of Iron on The Pituitary, Ovaries and Uterus of Prepubertal Albino Rats

Abstract

Iron is an important metal for Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Deferoxamine used as a potent antioxidant plus its chelating function. Quercetin is an effective antioxidant and also reported to have estrogenic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of deferoxamine and quercetin in the treatment of toxicity induced by short term chronic administration of iron in prepubertal female rats. One hundred and ten rats were divided into 5 groups: Group I : control (40 rats). Group II:(10 rats) injected IP daily with deferoxamine (DFO) (125mg /kg ) for 4 weeks. Group III:( 10 rats ) treated with quercetin (Q) (2g/kg daily) orally for 4 weeks. Group IV:( 10 rats ) received deferoxamine + quercetin for 4 weeks. Group V: (40 rats) subdivided into 4 sub-groups, Va: injected IP daily with Iron dextran (300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks then rats were sacrificed and submitted to biochemical and histopathological examination. Vb: injected intraperitoneally daily with iron dextran for 4 weeks, then received daily intraperitoneal deferoxamine for another 4 weeks. Vc: injected intraperitoneally daily with iron dextran for 4 weeks, then received daily quercetin orally by for another 4 weeks. Vd: injected intraperitoneally daily with iron dextran for 4 weeks, then received daily intraperitoneal deferoxamine + quercetin orally for another 4 weeks. The results showed significant increase in serum iron concentration, ferritin and NTBI and TBARS with significant decrease in serum (LH),(FSH) and estradiol hormones and serum (TAC) values in iron group when compared with other groups accompanied by histopathological changes in pituitary, ovaries and uterus, with marked iron deposits detected by Prussian blue stain and increased expression of caspase 3 . Treatment with deferoxamine or quercetin showed improvement in these parameters which nearly were equally effective. Combined treatment with deferoxamine and quercetin was better than single ones.