Introduction: Atrazine (ATR), a worldwide triazine herbicide, induces oxidative stress and DNA damage. It was found that oxidative stress is closely linked to apoptosis. Curcumin has strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory actions.
Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the possible ameliorative effect of curcumin on ATR- induced oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis in the kidney of adult male albino rats.
Material and methods: The current study was conducted on 40 adult male albino rats. Rats were divided into four equal groups. The first group was control. Group II was treated with curcumin (100mg/kg/day). Group III was treated with ATR (400mg/kg/day). Group IV was treated with both ATR (400mg/kg/day) and curcumin (100mg/kg/day). All were given orally for 21days. Body and kidney weights, blood urea and creatinine as well as 24 hours urinary protein levels were measured. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG) as well as activities of catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and complex-1 were assessed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of renal tissue were carried out.
Results: ATR treated group was significantly decreased in body and kidney weights, GSH level and HO-1 as well as complex 1 activities while there was significant increase in blood urea, creatinine, 24 hours urinary protein, MDA and 8-OHdG levels as well as CAT activity. Renal cloudy swelling was observed in H&E sections. Caspase 3 immunohistochemistry revealed high rate of apoptosis. Curcumin administration along with ATR significantly improved these observations.
Conclusion: It was concluded that administration of curcumin along with ATR ameliorated oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis induced by ATR.





Recommendations: The current study recommend further studies to clarify issues related to human exposure to ATR and the ameliorative effect of curcumin in Egypt and elsewhere around the world.