Protective effect of the extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. berries against cadmium-induced oxidative stress in the kidney: A study in an in vivo experimental model

The destructive impact of cadmium (Cd) on the oxidative/antioxidative status of the kidney, as well as the possible beneficial effect of co-administration of a 0.1% aqueous extract from Aronia melanocarpa L. berries (AM), were studied in a rat model of low-level and moderate general population exposure to this heavy metal (1 and 5 mg Cd/kg feed, respectively, for up to 24 months). Total antioxidative status (TAS) of the kidney and the main indices of the enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione and thioredoxin) antioxidative barrier were assessed. The total oxidative status (TOS) and concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, xanthine oxidase, myeloperoxidase, and oxidized glutathione were measured as markers of oxidative status. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated (TOS/TAS) to estimate the intensity of oxidative stress in the kidney. The exposure to Cd, dose- and duration-dependently, weakened the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative potential of the kidney leading to a decrease in its TAS, as well as enhanced oxidative status of this organ resulting in the development of oxidative stress. The administration of AM during the low-level and moderate intoxication with Cd significantly protected from this xenobiotic-induced disruption of the oxidative/antioxidative balance and development of oxidative stress in the kidney. In summary, even low-level long-term exposure to Cd may result in the occurrence of oxidative stress in the kidney, whereas supplementation with chokeberry products may improve the oxidative/antioxidative balance preventing oxidative stress in this organ.