Abstract
Aluminum compounds have been used widely in many consumer and material industries. Human exposure to high levels of these compounds leads to the accumulation and the potential destruction of many vital organs such as the testes and kidneys. The present study aims to: 1) evaluate the toxic effects of aluminum chloride on the kidneys and testes, 2) assess the extent of the positive effects of aqueous extracts of walnuts and ginger in alleviating this toxicity. Male albino rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into four groups, five rats in each group: 1-The Control Group: Rats received only water and chow diet ad libtum.2-Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3) Group: Rats were orally administrated with aluminum chloride at (40 mg / kg of body weight /day) for thirty days. 3-Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3) and The Walnuts Extract Group: Rats were orally administrated with aluminum chloride at (40 mg / kg of body weight/ day) with the coadminstration of walnut extract at (250 mg / kg body weight/ day) for thirty days. 4-Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3) and Ginger Extract Group: Rats were orally administrated with aluminum chloride at (40 mg / kg of body weight/ day) with the coadminstration of ginger extract at (250 mg / kg body weight/day) for thirty days. At the end of the treatment, blood samples, testis and kidney tissues were collected to measure biochemical and molecular changes. The obtained results comparing AlCl3 group to the control group are summarized in the following: 1- AlCl3 elevated lipid peroxidation product by Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) and Nitric Oxide (NO) products level in kidney and testis tissue. 2- Reduced Glutathione (GSH), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes: Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) and Glutathione Reductase (GSH-R) were reduced significantly in kidneys and testes of AlCl3-treated rats. 3- High levels of urea and creatinine in the serum of AlCl3-treated rats can be correlated with the impairment of renal function.4-Serum low levels of testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) could be linked to the deterioration of testicular function. 5-Elevation in the activity of tumor marker (Alpha-L-Fucosidase) in the serum of AlCl3-treated rats. 6-Alterations in the level of gene expression of these genes: Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme (P450 scc), 3-Beta (β)-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and Aromatase (P450arom). The coadminsitration of walnuts and ginger extracts showed improvement in the measured parameters used in this study which include a decrease in the level of creatinine and urea, increase in the level of testosterone and the increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes as compared to the AlCl3 group. At a molecular level, the expression of the P450scc, 3 β-HSD & P450arom genes was restored to normal levels. The present results demonstrate the effective role of the two extracts in reducing some of the negative impacts associated with the intoxication of AlCl3. Therefore, this study encourages more research to identify the value of each of the active ingredients in walnuts and ginger as natural substances in preventing the toxicity of AlCl3.
