Protective Effects of Astaxanthin on the Levels of Ureaand Creatinine as well as Changes in Kidney Tissue following Cadmium-Induced Toxicity in Syrian Male Mice

Cadmium is an environmental and industrial pollutant that causes nephrotoxicity. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the protective effect of astaxanthin on the levels of urea and creatinine, as well as kidney tissue in cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity.

In total, 42 mice were divided into seven groups of control, sham (received saline and olive oil), cadmium (received cadmium at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 14 days [sub-acute] and a dose of 3 mg/kg for 1 day [acute]), and treatments (received a dose of 10 mg/kg astaxanthin for 14 days with 1 mg/kg cadmium along with astaxanthin for 14 days and 3 mg/kg cadmium at the last day). It is worth mentioning that the injection was intraperitoneally and each group included six animals. The levels of creatinine and urea were evaluated in the serum, and the kidney sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Ethics code: IR.UMZ.REC.1397.107

The results showed a significant increase in the level of urea at an acute dose of cadmium, compared to the sham group (P<0.05). However, urea level had no changes at the sub-acute dose of cadmium. Moreover, Astaxanthin significantly decreased the level of urea at the acute dose of cadmium (P<0.001), compared to the level of urea at the sub-acute dose. Furthermore, cadmium and astaxanthin did not alter the creatinine level. Cadmium causes dilation and bleeding of the renal tubular, compared to the control group; however, astaxanthin improved tissue injury induced by cadmium.

Astaxanthin with the protective effect on kidney tissue and the improvement of glomerular filtration prevents nephrotoxicity induced by cadmium.