Investigation of the possible protective effect of caffeic acid and gallic acid towards mercury-induced oxidative stress in MDBK cells

Metal toxicity is a major public health problem worldwide. Metals and metal compounds interfere with functions of various organ systems. Metylmercury (MeHg) is classified as a very harmful toxican to living organisms. Many investigations have stated that methylmercuric exposure could induce a wide range of biochemical dysfunctions in humans and laboratory animals. This compound affects metabolic processes such as lipid peroxidation, formation of reactive oxygen species, protein synthesis. In this study, toxic effects of methylmercury on MDBK cells were tested. IC25, IC50 and IC75 values of methyl mercury were determined as 2, 25 and 60 µM. The methyl mercury inhibited on the activites of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Also, methyl mercury dramatically effected the formation of DPC, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl. It also considerably reduced the amount of glutathione. In this study, we investigated the effects of caffeic acid on MeHg-induced toxicity in MDBK cells of rats. Caffeic acid decreased significantly toxic effect of methyl mercury. Keywords: methylmercury; caffeic acid; gallic acid; oxidative stress; antioxidant defensesystem