Tissue-Specific Ameliorative Effect of Resveratrol on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Blood Lipid Profile of Mice Exposed to Cadmium

Abstract

Cadmium can cause oxidative damage in organisms through overproduction of free radicals and suppression of the antioxidant defense system. Resveratrol is known as a nutraceutical with antioxidant properties accepted to have protective effects to the toxicity of heavy metals. In this study, we investigated if resveratrol could overwhelm the toxic effect of sub-acute cadmium exposure. Animals were divided to the following groups: 1) Control, 2) Vehicle control, 3) Cadmium (Cd), 4) Resveratrol (Res), 5) Exposure to both Cd and Res (Cd+Res). Increased lipid peroxidation and total sialic acids were determined in testis and lung tissues of mice exposed to Cd with the decreased in paraoxonase (PON1) level and GSH amount. Interestingly, we also found an increased lipid peroxidation and NO levels in lung tissue of mice exposed to Res and Cd + Res, but not in testis tissue. Moreover, increased triglycerides, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins as well as reduced high-density lipoproteins were found in mice exposed to Cd and Cd + Res compared to controls. Our results revealed that cadmium induces oxidative damage in tissues, via increased lipid peroxidation, total sialic acids and decreased antioxidant levels as well as disturbs lipid profile. Moreover, our findings indicate that resveratrol may act as “ameliorative” factor against the cadmium exposure in only testis tissue. Thus, we may suggest that ameliorative effect of resveratrol may vary depending on the exposure dose, exposure duration and exposed tissues of animals to the heavy metals.