Effects of Quercetin on Palladium Chloride-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and...

To understand the potential hazards of palladium particles dispersed in the environment, comprehensive toxicological studies are required. Quercetin (Que) is a natural flavonoid compound with antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to investigate the potential protective effects of Que (30 mg/kg bw) usage against oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress damage in palladium chloride (PdCl2) (8 mg/kg bw)-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. As a result of 28 days of PdCl2 application, antioxidant capacity (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST) in hepatorenal tissues decreased, and the MDA level, which is a marker of lipid peroxidation, increased. In addition, changes were determined in markers such as ALT, AST, LDH, urea, and creatinine in serum. Similarly, PON-1 and AChE activities decreased and NO, 8-OHdG, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels and TNF-α expression increased. Due to PdCl2 exposure, cytoprotective transcription factor Nrf2 expression decreased and caspase-3 expression increased. Along with the increase in ER stress (HSP70, HSP90, GRP78, and CHOP) induced by PdCl2, a decrease in aquaporin 1 and nephrin expressions was observed in renal tissues due to histopathological changes in hepatorenal tissues. Que treatment together with PdCl2 reduced PdCl2-induced hepatorenal toxicity and provided improvement in the investigated parameters.