Palm oil extracts’ protected against cadmium chloride poisoning via inhibition of oxidative stress in rats”

Abstract Background: The probable mechanism of an earlier reported capacity of palm oil extracts to confer protection against high dose cadmium poisoning in rats was reported in this study. Similar experimental design earlier reported by us was retained. Rats therefore were sacrificed at intervals of twelve; twenty four and forty eight hours post CdCl2 insult. Results: Oxidative stress and antioxidant status (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione) were assessed in tissues (liver, kidney, heart, brain, muscle) and serum. Oxidative stress indicators showed a significantly (p<0.05) increased lipid peroxidation and alterations in antioxidant defence systems occasioned by drop in catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes (serum, liver, heart, brain and kidneys) of the rats. Also observed were significant (p<0.05) reduction in the non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione over time. Pre-administration of rats with the crude palm oil and its extracts modulated cadmium mediated depletion of the antioxidant capacities of rats acutely exposed to cadmium and rising lipid peroxidation profile. Conclusions: Regulation of stress and antioxidant response was the underlying mechanism by which the extracts conferred protection against high dose cadmium insult thus suggesting its potential as a viable therapeutic target against its deleterious effects.