Ameliorative effect of boric acid on acute cadmium-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, histopathological injury and proapoptotic changes in rat liver

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effects of boric acid (BA) on cadmium (Cd)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=7 each): Control; Cd (single oral dose of Cd 15 mg/kg by gavage, no further treatment for 7 days); BA (boric acid 200 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 7 days); and Cd+BA (combined cadmium and boric acid). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured to assess oxidative stress. Results: MDA and TOS levels were highest in the Cd group compared with the other groups, while these levels were reduced in the Cd+BA group. AST levels were significantly elevated in the Cd group (194.42 U/L) compared with the Cd+BA group (110.57 U/L). Similarly, LDH levels were significantly lower in the Cd+BA group. Histopathological evaluation of liver tissues showed markedly higher damage scores in the Cd group, whereas inflammatory and proapoptotic changes were less pronounced in the Cd+BA group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that BA administration after acute Cd exposure may reduce hepatic injury by lowering oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.