CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Disused electronic devices increase levels of the cadmium (Cd) in the environment constituting a public health risk. In parallel, chia oil has been reported to benefit health. Previous studies in rats showed decreased expression of total proteins in liver with Cd2+ treatment. However, until now has not been described the effects of chia oil on these alterations. The aim of this work was to evaluate the protein expression and esterase activity in liver homogenates qualitatively and quantitatively. Wistar rats were divided into: Group A: distilled water was administered orally, 1 dose daily 5 times per week and for 60 days. Group B: 10 mg/kg CdCl2, for the same period and period. Group C: 240 μl/kg chia oil by the same route and period. Group D: CdCl2 and chia oil were coadministered at doses previously reported by the same route and period. Group E: CdCl2 and chia oil were coadministered in these doses by the same route for 30 days and then distilled water for 30 days. Group F: dry gave CdCl2 and chia oil at doses previously reported by the same route for 30 days and then chia oil for 30 days. Native polyacrylamide gel (PAGE) electrophoresis of liver homogenates proteins was using silver staining. The zymogram with esterase activity was evaluated with 1-naphtyl-acetate and Fast Blue. The GelAnalyzer software was used for the quantification of the protein concentration. The results showed that the exposure to Cd caused a decrease in the expression of enzymes with esterase activity (Groups B vs A). Chia oil increased expression of the band with esterase activity (Groups C vs B). Co-administration of Cd/chia oil prevented Cd exposure from inducing decreased expression of enzymes with esterase activity (Groups D, E and F vs. B). These results indicate that administration of chia oil could minimize the changes caused by Cd.