Putative protective effect of Cadmium chloride high diluted solution on LLC-PK1 cell intoxicated by high concentration of this same metal: an isopathic in vitro assay

Abstract

Cadmium is an important toxic environmental heavy metal. Several studies have demonstrated that a major site of cadmium toxicity in humans and in other animals is the proximal tubule of the kidney. A well established model for nephrotoxicity is the use of in vitro technique with proximal tubule epithelial cell lines, as LLC-PK1. Herein, we have the intention to study the possible protective effect of high diluted CdCl2 solutions. In a blinding way, LLC-PK1 cells were pre-treated with high diluted Cadmium chloride in the potencies 10cH, 15cH and 20cH. After 4 days, these cells have received CdCl2 in a pre-determined toxic concentration. The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. We have identified a protective effect of two CdCl2 high diluted solutions, 10cH and 20cH, when cells were intoxicated by sublethal CdCl2 concentration. The results indicate that probably the high dilutions have an expressive action on cells in sublethal intoxication.