Abstract

Objective: Apocynin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone) an NADPH oxidase inhibitor isolated from the medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa (Scrophulariaceae) has been reported to possess antihypertensive properties. Cadmium exposures are reported to induce tissue damage leading to hypertension. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of apocynin on anti-atherogenic index (AAI), coronary risk index (CRI), cardio-protective index as well as biochemical and electrolyte parameters in the blood following cadmium exposure. Method: Thirty-six (36) adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 as control, 2 and 3 receiving 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight apocynin respectively, group 4 received 100 mg/L cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in their drinking water, while group 5 and 6 received 100 mg/L CdCl2 in their drinking and 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight apocynin respectively for eight weeks. Cadmium concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Biochemical and electrolyte parameters in serum were determined using an automated biochemical multi-analyzer at the end of eight weeks. Results: Apocynin did not significantly (p < 0.05) alter cadmium accumulation in the aorta but caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the kidney. Exposures to cadmium resulted in a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in concentrations of serum potassium, bicarbonate, total bilirubin, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity; which were ameliorated with apocynin. No significant change was observed in the concentrations of albumin, glucose, urea, creatinine nor GGTP, AST, AAI, CAI, cardioprotective index and other lipid parameters. Conclusion: Apocynin showed some protective effects on cadmium-induced tissue damage, and these effects could be tissue specific.