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Blueberry ( Vaccinium ashei Reade) extract ameliorates ovarian damage induced by subchronic cadmium exposure in mice: Potential δ‐ ALA‐D involvement
Author(s) -
Izaguirry Aryele Pinto,
Soares Melina Bucco,
Vargas Laura Musacchio,
Spiazzi Cristiano Chiapinotto,
dos Santos Brum Daniela,
Noremberg Simone,
Mendez Andreas Sebastian Loureiro,
Santos Francielli Weber
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
environmental toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1522-7278
pISSN - 1520-4081
DOI - 10.1002/tox.22225
Subject(s) - cadmium , ascorbic acid , vaccinium , folliculogenesis , chemistry , quercitrin , pharmacology , andrology , ovary , antioxidant , quercetin , biology , food science , biochemistry , medicine , endocrinology , botany , organic chemistry , gene , embryogenesis
Females are born with a finite number of oocyte‐containing follicles and ovary damage results in reduced fertility. Cadmium accumulates in the reproductive system, damaging it, and the cigarette smoke is a potential exposure route. Natural therapies are relevant to health benefits and disease prevention. This study verified the effect of cadmium exposure on the ovaries of mice and the blueberry extract as a potential therapy. Blueberry therapy was effective in restoring reactive species levels and δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, and partially improved the viability of cadmium‐disrupted follicles. This therapy was not able to restore the 17 β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Extract HPLC evaluation indicated the presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercetin, and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was the major substance and its concentration was 620.24 µg/mL. Thus, cadmium accumulates in the ovaries of mice after subchronic exposure, inducing cellular damage, and the blueberry extract possesses antioxidant properties that could protect, at least in part, the ovarian tissue from cadmium toxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 188–196, 2017.