title: Tunisian radish (Raphanus sativus) extract prevents cadmium-induced immunotoxic and biochemical alterations in rats.
abstract: Cadmium (Cd), a known carcinogen and potent immunotoxicant in humans and animals, is dispersed throughout the environment as a result of pollution from a variety of sources. Tunisian radish (Raphanus sativus) extract (TRE) is a known anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to help alleviate immune system disorders, including some induced by environmental toxicants. The present study was undertaken to investigate potential protective effects of TRE against Cd-induced immunotoxicities (and general toxicities) in situ. Cadmium chloride (at 2.5 mg CdCl2/kg BW) and TRE (5, 10, or 15 mg/kg BW) were given (alone or in combination [actually, in sequence of Cd and then TRE]) to rats daily by oral gavage for 2 weeks. Results indicated that treatment with CdCl2 alone resulted in significant decreases in plasma levels of total protein, triglycerides, creatine kinase, creatinine, IgG and IgA, T-lymphocyte sub-types (CD4(+), CD3(+), CD56(+), and CD8(+)), and in thymic and hepatic indices (relative weights). In contrast, CdCl2 treatment caused significant increases in serum LDH, AST, and ALT, in the formation/release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and TNFα), and in the relative weights of host spleen and kidneys. Rats treated with TRE alone had no discernable changes compared to the controls with regard to all test parameters. Combined treatment of CdCl2 and TRE-at any dose-resulted in a significant improvement of all test parameters compared to those seen with Cd alone. These results illustrated (and provided further support for a continuing belief in) the beneficial effects of TRE in reducing the harmful outcomes of commonly encountered toxicants (like Cd) on the immune system and on overall host health status.
authors: Unit of Immunology, Environmental Microbiology and Cancerology, University of Carthage , Tunis , Tunisia .
authors: Jalila
authors: J
authors: ben Salah-Abbès
authors: Samir
authors: S
authors: Abbès
authors: Haous
authors: H
authors: Zohra
authors: Ridha
authors: R
authors: Oueslati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D031224:Raphanus / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019256:Cadmium Chloride
keywords: Cadmium; Raphanus sativus; detoxification; immunotoxicity