Kadmiyuma Maruz Kalan Sıçanlarda Davranışsal, Biyokimyasal ve Metabolomik Parametrelerde Gözlenen Değişikliklere Karvakrolün Etkisi

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the toxic and carcinogenic heavy metals that can be found in the environment through activities such as industry and agriculture. Carvacrol (CAR) is a phenol found in various aromatic plants. CAR is known to have various biological activities. The aim of our study is to evaluate the protection of CAR against the toxic effects caused by Cd with behavioral parameters, biochemical analysis, histopathology and metabolites. Wistar-albino male rats were used in our study. Oral administration was given to the control, CAR20 mg/kg, CAR40 mg/kg, Cd50 mg/kg, Cd50 mg/kg+CAR 20 mg/kg and Cd50 mg/kg+CAR 40 mg/kg groups for 12 days (n=8 in each group). 0.2% Tween 80 was used as CAR solvent. In order to observe the effects of Cd on rats, behavioral tests such as open field (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) and Barnes Maze test were applied at the end of the experimental period. Locomotor activity was evaluated with the Rotarod test. Histopathological studies were performed on the kidney and liver tissues. In addition, untargeted metabolomic analyzes were performed in plasma from rats using GC-MS and LC-QTOF techniques. Additionally, arsenic, zinc, iron, cadmium and calcium were measured in plasma with ICP-OES. Findings show that Cd reduces walking time compared to the control in the rotarod test, prolongs the time spent in the closed arm in the EPM test, and reduces the time and number of hours spent in the center in the OFT test. It was found that Cd reduces weight gain and changes the amounts of elements in blood plasma. In the metabolomic analysis results, indicators for negative effects of Cd on lipid, energy and amino acid metabolism were observed. When the behavioral results are evaluated together, it can be said that Cd increases anxiety-like behaviors, reduces locomotor activity, and when applied together with CAR, these parameters worsen. It is also supported by our biochemical results that Cd causes negative changes in the kidney and liver. Our results show that Cd has a negative effect on all parameters examined when administered alone or together with CAR, and CAR does not cause a negative effect when administered alone. Our study addresses the effect of Cd and CAR in terms of behavior, biochemistry, histopathology, elemental analysis and metabolomics.