Effect of dietary antioxidant on mercuric chloride induced lung toxicity and oxidative stress

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental contaminant mercuric chloride on levels of trace elements and oxidative parameters in rat lungs and to investigate the efficacy of possible protection by natural antioxidant diallylsulphide (DAS) against lung injury. Twenty-four healthy male rats were randomly divided into four groups: I – control, II – DAS (200 mg/kg), III – HgCl₂ (50 mg/kg), and IV – DAS (200 mg/kg) + HgCl₂ (50 mg/kg). Mercuric chloride induced oxidative stress was indicated by a significant decrease in levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase as compared to the control group (p–<0.05). Also, hydroxyproline (HYP) content in lung tissues of mercuric chloride-treated group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). DAS markedly attenuated mercuric-induced biochemical alterations in lungs by upregulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These findings indicated that within the doses selected, DAS can provide significant protection against HgCl₂-induced toxicity.

• Antioxidants
• lung toxicity
• oxidative stress
• trace elements

Acknowledgements

This research project was supported by a grant from “Research Center of the Center for Female Scientific and Medical Colleges”, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.