Determination of the effect of polydatin against mercury-induced oxidative stress in rats

This study aimed to determine the effect of polydatin in rats that caused oxidative stress by mercury (Hg). 35 Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I was determined as negative control and Group II as positive control. At the end of the 7th day, a single dose of 5mg/kg mercury was administered intraperitoneally to the positive control group. Groups III, IV, and V were given 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, and 100mg/kg doses of polydatin, respectively, for 7 days by gastric gavage, and at the end of the 7th day, a single dose of 5mg/kg mercury was given intraperitoneally. Antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD and catalase CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in blood, liver, brain, kidney, lung, testes and heart tissue samples taken from rats. In addition, histopathological examinations were performed. Molecular analysis of IFN-γ, TNF-α and NF-kB inflammatory genes was performed in kidney and liver samples. Mercury application caused a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities in rat tissues. It also caused a decrease in GSH levels. However, it did raise the MDA level. It increased the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and NF-kB and caused tissue damage. Polydatin administration showed a protective effect at increasing doses. As a result, it was determined that polydatin had a protective effect against oxidative stress caused by mercury application.