Effect of astaxanthin on kidney function impairment and oxidative stress induced by mercuric chloride in rats

Reactive oxygen species are implicated as mediators of tissue damage in the acute renal failure induced by inorganic mercury. Astaxanthin (ASX), a carotenoid with potent antioxidant properties, exists naturally in various plants, algae, and seafoods. This paper evaluated the ability of ASX to prevent HgCl2 nephrotoxicity. Rats were injected with HgCl2 (0 or 5 mg/kg b.w., sc) 6 h after ASX had been administered (0, 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg, by gavage) and were killed 12 h after HgCl2 exposure. Although ASX prevented the increase of lipid and protein oxidation and attenuated histopathological changes caused by HgCl2 in kidney, it did not prevent creatinine increase in plasma and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase inhibition induced by HgCl2. Glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were enhanced, while superoxide dismutase activity was depressed in HgCl2-treated rats when compared to control and these effects were prevented by ASX. Our results indicate that ASX could have a beneficial role against HgCl2 toxicity by preventing lipid and protein oxidation, changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes.