Green olive leaf extract (OLE) provides cytoprotection in renal cells exposed to low doses of cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy and highly toxic metal that contaminates air, food and water. Cadmium accumulates in several organs altering normal functions. The kidney is the major organ at risk of damage from chronic exposure to cadmium as a contaminant in food and water. This study aims to investigate the beneficial effects of OLE in renal collecting duct MCD4 cells exposed to a low dose cadmium (1 μM). In MCD4 cells cadmium caused an increase in ROS production, as well as generation of lipid droplets and reduced cell viability. Moreover, cadmium exposure led to a remarkable increase in the frequency of micronuclei and DNA double-strand breaks, assessed using the alkaline comet assay. In addition, cadmium dramatically altered cell cytoskeleton architecture and caused S-glutathionylation of actin. Notably, all cadmium-induced cellular deregulations were prevented by co-treatment with OLE, possibly due to its antioxidant action and to the presence of bioactive phytocompounds. Indeed, OLE treatment attenuated Cd-induced actin S-glutathionylation, thereby stabilizing actin filaments. Taken together, these observations provide a novel insight into the biological action of OLE in renal cells and support the notion that OLE may serve as a potential adjuvant against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity.