This study aims to explore the protective effects of quercetin against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity utilizing metabolomics methods. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, different dosages of quercetin (10 and 50 mg/kg·bw, respectively), CdCl2 (4.89 mg/kg·bw) and different dosages quercetin plus CdCl2 groups. After 12 weeks, the kidneys were collected for metabolomics analysis and histopathology examination. In total, 11 metabolites were confirmed, the intensities of which significantly changed (up-regulated or down-regulated) compared with the control group (p < 0.00067). These metabolites include xanthosine, uric acid (UA), guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA), hypoxanthine (Hyp), 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (tetranor 12-HETE), taurocholic acid (TCA), hydroxyphenylacetylglycine (HPAG), deoxyinosine (DI), ATP, formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) and arachidonic acid (AA). When high-dose quercetin and cadmium were given to rats concurrently, the intensities of above metabolites significantly restored (p < 0.0033 or p < 0.00067). The results showed quercetin attenuated Cd-induced nephrotoxicity by regulating the metabolism of lipids, amino acids, and purine, inhibiting oxidative stress, and protecting kidney functions.

本研究旨在利用代谢组学方法探索槲皮素对镉诱导的肾毒性的保护作用。雄性 Sprague-Dawley 大鼠随机分为六组：对照组、不同剂量槲皮素（分别为 10 和 50 mg/kg·bw）、CdCl2（4.89 mg/kg·bw）和不同剂量槲皮素加 CdCl2 组。12 周后，收集肾脏进行代谢组学分析和组织病理学检查。总共确认了 11 种代谢物，其强度与对照组相比发生了显着变化（上调或下调）（p < 0.00067）。这些代谢物包括黄苷、尿酸 (UA)、胍基琥珀酸 (GSA)、次黄嘌呤 (Hyp)、12-羟基二十碳四烯酸 (tetranor 12-HETE)、牛磺胆酸 (TCA)、羟基苯乙酰甘氨酸 (HPAG)、脱氧肌苷 ( , 亚氨基谷氨酸 (FIGLU) 和花生四烯酸 (AA)。当大剂量槲皮素和镉同时给予大鼠时，上述代谢物的强度显着恢复（p < 0.0033或p < 0.00067）。结果表明，槲皮素通过调节脂质、氨基酸和嘌呤的代谢、抑制氧化应激和保护肾功能来减轻 Cd 诱导的肾毒性。