Catechin Protects Against Dyslipidemia and Nephro-Hepatototoxicity Induced in Rats Exposed to Arsenic

Arsenic poisoning is a major environmental event affecting millions worldwide and its treatment with chelating agents has met with limited success. While arsenic toxicity affects multiple systems in the human body, its mode of action has not been fully elucidated. The present study therefore, investigated the possible protective effects of catechin against hepatorenal damage and dyslipidemia induced by arsenic exposure. Rats were exposed to arsenic (100 ppm) through their drinking water and were treated with catechin (40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg, body weight) for 30 days. Arsenic exposure resulted in liver dysfunction obvious with increased activities of the hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). This was accompanied with significant elevation of kidney function markers urea and creatinine (p 0.05). Furthermore, arsenic caused the distortion of lipid metabolism resulting in hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and increased plasma phospholipid in the animals. Co-treatment with catechin effectively protected against arsenic-mediated hepatotoxicity, prevented renal damage and restored lipid homeostasis in the rats. The present data indicate the ability of catechin to potentially prevent arsenic-induced nephrohepatotoxicity and dyslipidemia in rats.