Protective effect of argan oil on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress against acrylamide-induced liver and kidney injury in rats

Context: Acrylamide (ACR) is now a risk for general public health. Argan oil (AO) is harvested from the fruits of Argania spinosa and its rich source of antioxidant and phenolic compounds.Objective: The aim of present study was to investigate the protective effect of AO against ACR-induced liver and kidney injury in rats.Materials and methods: Rats were exposed to ACR (50 mg/kg/day three times per week), AO (6 ml/kg/day per day) and ACR together with AO for 30 days. Oxidative status and mitochondrial functions were evaluated in liver and kidney.Results: Although ALT, AST, urea and creatine levels in serum, myeloperoxidase and total nitrite (NOx) levels in the tissues, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls levels were increased in the ACR-treated rats, cytosolic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione-S-transferase activities, mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione levels, oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, TCA cycle enzymes, mitochondrial metabolic function and ATP level were decreased. The administration of ACR together with AO normalized almost all these parameters.Conclusion: Over recent years, compounds that specifically target mitochondria have emerged as promising therapeutic options for patients with hepatic and renal diseases. We think that AO oil is one of these compounds due to its unique content.

Keywords: TCA cycle enzymes; acrylamide; argan oil; oxidative phosphorylation; oxidative stress.