title: Protective effects of the flavonoid chrysin against methylmercury-induced genotoxicity and alterations of antioxidant status, in vivo.
abstract: The use of phytochemicals has been widely used as inexpensive approach for prevention of diseases related to oxidative damage due to its antioxidant properties. One of dietary flavonoids is chrysin (CR), found mainly in passion fruit, honey, and propolis. Methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic metal whose main toxic mechanism is oxidative damage. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of CR against oxidative damage induced by MeHg in Wistar rats. Animals were treated with MeHg (30 µg/kg/bw) in presence and absence of CR (0.10, 1.0, and 10 mg/kg/bw) by gavage for 45 days. Glutathione (GSH) in blood was quantified spectrophotometrically and for monitoring of DNA damage, comet assay was used in leukocytes and hepatocytes. MeHg led to a significant increase in the formation of comets; when the animals were exposed to the metal in the presence of CR, higher concentrations of CR showed protective effects. Moreover, exposure to MeHg decreased the levels of GSH and GSH levels were restored in the animals that received CR plus MeHg. Taken together the findings of the present work indicate that consumption of flavonoids such as CR may protect humans against the adverse health effects caused by MeHg.
authors: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Eduardo Scandinari
authors: ES
authors: Manzolli
authors: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Juliana Mara
authors: JM
authors: Serpeloni
authors: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Denise
authors: 0000-0002-8782-0436
authors: D
authors: Grotto
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Jairo Kennup
authors: JK
authors: Bastos
authors: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Lusânia Maria Greggi
authors: LM
authors: Antunes
authors: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Barbosa Junior
authors: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron
authors: GR
authors: Barcelos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D020011:Protective Agents; C043561:chrysin; D005978:Glutathione; C004925:methylmercuric chloride