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It is well known that exposure to chromium (Cr) can lead to nephrotoxicity. Quercetin is a flavonoid of interest because of its proposed health-promoting effects. The aim of this work was to elucidate the role of quercetin against the nephrotoxicity caused by Cr in rats. Quercetin may have positive effects in combating, or helping to prevent, nephrotoxicity. It was observed that a single dose of potassium dichromate resulted in both an increase of systemic peroxidation of lipids and a decrease of the renal clearance of para-aminohippuric acid and inulin. Our results show that treatment with quercetin protected and prevented against these damaging effects.

It has been reported that potassium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity is evidenced by diminution in creatinine clearance, increase in urinary protein, and structural damage to the proximal tubules. Damage to tissue often leads to the release of enzymes from the injured cells into the extracellular fluids. The aim of this study was to establish whether potassium dichromate induces changes in the urinary-specific activities of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminopeptidase enzymes. Our results show that the administration of a single intraperitoneal dose of potassium dichromate decreased the activity of such enzymes in urine.