Synthesized gold nanoparticles mediated by extract down-regulate KIM-1/NGAL genes and inhibit oxidative stress in cadmium-induced kidney damage in rats.

Cadmium (Cd) exposure induces kidney damage by mediating oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, the role of -gold nanoparticles (-AuNPs) in down-regulating kidney injury molecules-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) genes and inhibiting oxidative stress in Cd-induced kidney damage in rats was investigated. Thirty male Wistar rats were distributed randomly into six groups ( = 5). Group I served as control, while groups II, III, IV, and V rats were administered with 20 mg/kg b.w. cadmium chloride (CdCl) for five consecutive days. Groups III, IV, and V rats were treated, 24 h after the last dose of CdCl, with silymarin, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg -AuNPs, respectively, for 14 days. Group VI rats received 10 mg/kg -AuNPs only for 14 days. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of the treatment. Biochemical parameters such as kidney function markers, biomarkers of nephrotoxicity, and oxidative stress markers were assayed. Results indicated that 20 mg/kg b.w. CdCl caused kidney damage, as evidenced by significant ( < 0.05) increase in the levels of serum urea and creatinine, malondialdehyde, reduced level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and increased mRNA expression of the kidney injury biomarkers (KIM-1 and NGAL genes), when compared with the control. However, these changes were attenuated by both doses of -AuNPs when compared with Cd-induced nephrotoxic rats. It can be suggested that -AuNPs have the potential to ameliorate kidney damage induced by Cd via oxidative stress inhibition and down-regulation of KIM-1/NGAL genes.