L-Ergothioneine modulates oxidative damage in the kidney and liver of rats in vivo: studies upon the profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids

Background & aims: -Ergothioneine is a fungal metabolite exhibiting antioxidant functions in cells. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral administration of -Ergothioneine on the oxidative damage in vivo caused by the Fenton reagent ferric-nitrilotriacetate. Methods: Rats were supplemented with -Ergo prior to the administration of acute dose of ferric-nitrilotriacetate. Kidney and liver levels of -ergothioneine, glutathione, α-tocopherol, polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated dienes were assessed. Results: Oral administration of 70 mg Ergo/kg body weight of rats for 7 days prior to the injection of ferric-nitrilotriacetate protected the fatty acids against oxidation, with notable protections directed to: 20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid) (23%), 22:6 (docosahexaenoinic acid) (30%), 20:3 n6 (eicosatrienoic acid) (22%), 20:4 (arachidonic acid) (25%), 18:2 linoleic acid (25%) and 18:1 oleic acid (14%) in the kidney. The protection of 20:5, 20:3 n6 and 18:1 in the liver by 32%, 20% and 11%, respectively, were statistically significant. Ergothioneine significantly reduced kidney and liver levels of conjugated dienes and conserved the concentrations of α-tocopherol and glutathione in the kidney and liver in the ferric-nitrilotriacetate/ -ergothioneine treated rats. Conclusion: Supplementation with -ergothioneine not only protects the organs against the lipid peroxidation but conserves the consumption of endogenous glutathione and α-tocopherol. However consumption of mushrooms may have better promise as dietary sources of -ergothioneine to humans.