Background: Research has demonstrated that the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) causes significant damage to the kidneys. In contrast, the natural flavonoid quercetin (Que) possesses a variety of pharmacological effects that can alleviate the toxic effects of Cd. However, the specific effects of Que on Cd-induced kidney inflammation, particularly regarding the NLRP3 inflammasome, remains unclear. 
 
Methods: Sixty-four male Hylan brown chickens were with fed for 30 days with the test substances. Serum and kidney samples were collected for evaluation of kidney function, oxidative stress levels, histology, apoptosis and inflammation. 
 
Result: Cd exposure in chickens led to reduced body weight, increased renal coefficient, renal dysfunction, histopathological damage and oxidative stress. Results from TUNEL staining, RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis confirmed that Cd induced apoptosis and inflammation in kidneys through mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Que alleviated these effects by inhibiting both mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and inflammasome activation, thereby reducing Cd-induced kidney injury. 
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Quercetin Attenuates Cadmium-induced Renal Injury in Chickens via Suppression of Apoptosis and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

<div>Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious and fatal disease of small ruminants, caused by PPR virus (PPRV). Detection of microbes is mediated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). These PRRs induce the assembly of a multi-protein signaling platform called the Inflammasome. It detects the pathogens and induces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukins (IL) i.e. IL-1&beta; and IL-18. The aim of this study was to assess the activation of inflammasome related genes, following exposure to PPRV in Vero Cells and was to assess the effect of activation of inflammasome on downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1&beta; and IL-18 gene expression. 
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Methods: Vero cells were infected with PPRV. The cells were incubated for different periods. Total RNA was reverse transcribed and used for amplification by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and cytokines IL-1&beta; and IL-18 gene expression. 
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Result: It was revealed that 1 MOI of PPRV was appropriate for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. NLRP3 and ASC showed an increased level of expression at 2-4 hrs post inoculation (hpi). While, the Caspase-1 showed biphasic expression on 2-4 and 24 hpi, further, in the synchrony to it, IL-1&beta; and IL-18 expression were also found to increase at 2-4 and 24 hpi.</div>

Quercetin Attenuates Cadmium-induced Renal Injury in Chickens via Suppression of Apoptosis and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Inflammasome Activation and Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Genes Expression Following Exposure of PPRV in Vero Cells