Lead (Pb2+) toxicity is the most common form
of heavy metal intoxication in humans and animals.
Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate
the potential ameliorative effects of curcumin on lead
acetate (LA)-induced deleterious effects in the liver and
kidney. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four
equal groups; first group was used as a control and given
both corn oil orally and vehicle of lead acetate intraperitoneally
(i.p). Groups from 2–4 were treated with lead
acetate (LA; 50 mg/kg BW i.p), curcumin (200 mg/kg
BW orally), and curcumin plus lead acetate, respectively.
Curcumin was administered 3 weeks before LA injection
for 7 days. Pb2+-intoxicated rats have higher Pb2+ levels
compared to other treated groups. Results revealed that
lead acetate significantly increased the serum levels of hepatic transaminases (GPT and GOT), urea and creatinine,
while albumin was significantly decreased. In parallel,
serum IgG, IgM, and IgA were significantly decreased
in LA-injected rats. LA groups showed decrease
in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of catalase,
SOD, GST, GPx, and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP),
while the gene expression of desmin, vimentin,
transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), monocyte
chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and alpha-2 macroglobulin
(α-2M) was increased. Prior and coadministration
of curcumin with LA for 7 days significantly improved
the ameliorated changes in liver and kidney, immunoglobulins,
and mRNA expression. Moreover,
curcumin ameliorated LA-induced congestion of hepatic
and renal blood vessels and decreased fibrous tissue proliferation
and necrosis of hepatocytes. In the kidney, LAinduced
degeneration in tubular epithelium and
intraluminal hyaline casts and prior curcumin administration
restored normal renal structure with mild congestion
of renal blood vessels. The results clarify the potential of
curcumin to counteract the immunosuppressive alteration
in gene expression as well as hepatic and renal damage
occurred after Pb2+ intoxication. |
