Hormetic effects of curcumin on oxidative stress injury induced by trivalent arsenic in isolated rat hepatocytes

Objective: Arsenic (As) poisoning is a worldwide public health problem. Arsenic can cause cancer, diabetes, hepatic problems, etc. Hence, we investigated possible hepatoprotective properties of curcumin against As۳+-induced liver damages in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes.Materials and Methods: Isolation of hepatocytes was done by the two-step liver perfusion method using collagenase. The EC۵۰ concentration of As۳+ was used in toxicity assessments and curcumin (۲, ۵, and ۱۰ µM) was added ۱۵ min before As۳+ addition to isolated hepatocytes. Curcumin impact was assessed in terms of cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential.Results: As۳+ significantly increased cytotoxicity, malondialdehyde and ROS levels and induced mitochondrial membrane damage and hepatocyte membrane lysis after ۳ hr incubation. Curcumin ۲ µM significantly prevented lipid peroxidation induction, ROS formation, and mitochondrial membrane damage; while curcumin ۵ µM had no apparent effect on these parameters, curcumin ۱۰ µM potentiated them.Conclusion: Curcumin only at low doses could ameliorate oxidative stress injury induced by As۳+ in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Keywords:

Hepatocytes , Reactive Oxygen Species , Lipid Peroxidation , Mitochondria