Protective Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Rats: PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CAPE ON HC

Uro-protective role of chrysin against cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats involving the turning-off NF-κB/P38-MAPK, NO/PARP-1 and STAT-3 signaling cascades

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapeutic agents are used to treat a wide range of cancer types, but they cause serious side effects which must be managed after treatment. Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is one of chemotherapeutic drugs that causes hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) induced by acrolein.

OBJECTIVE

The current investigation intended to uncover the role of chrysin (CHR) in CYP-induced HC in rats and explore the signaling pathway beyond this effect.

ANALYSIS

process: A single dose of CYP (200 mg/kg/IP) was injected, meanwhile CHR (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P.O) was administered respectively for 7 days prior to CYP administration and resume for 7 days afterwards. Urinary bladder tissue was then isolated from all rats to assess oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Moreover, histopathological examinations were performed.

RESULTS

Treatment with CHR showed a marked alleviation in oxidative stress biomarkers induced by CYP. Furthermore, CHR treatment presented a dose-dependent boost in the anti-inflammatory; IL-10 levels and a drop in the pro-inflammatory biomarkers; IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Additionally, stabilization of the PARP-1 protein expression was also detected thus preventing DNA damage. Similarly, CHR restored the urinary bladder cGMP levels. Notably, CHR treatment was accompanied with inhibition in NF-κB/p38-MAPK, NO/PARP-1 and STAT-3 signaling pathways inflammatory cascades. All these findings conformed with the histopathological examinations as well as iNOS immunostaining in the urinary bladder tissue.

CONCLUSION

Co-administration of CHR and CYP attained uro-protective therapeutic potential to guard against HC as well as spot the tangled mechanism of CHR in attenuating the HC induced by CYP.

Immuno-Biochemical Impacts of Gamma Irradiation in Male Rats: A Dose-Response Study

During radiotherapy, immune-modulatory effects of radiation doses should be taken into consideration, not only the anti-tumor radiation effects. Thus, our study aimed to study how γ-radiation modulates immune response in comparison to common immune-suppressive/stimulant agents. Animals were divided into two groups. Category A received Echinacea purpura extract (EP) or irradiated at low radiation doses 0, .25 or .5 Gray (Gy), whereas Category B received cyclophosphamide (CP) or irradiated at high radiation doses 1, 2, or 5 Gy. Serum levels of immunological mediators interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), as well as redox-markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), hemoglobin (Hgb), white and red blood cells (WBCs, RBCs), and platelet counts were assessed following irradiation. Of the immune-stimulant category, .25 Gy dose offered EP-comparable effects in TNF-α, RBCs, Hgb, and platelet counts cases. As for the immune-suppressive category; 5 Gy irradiation dose induced inflammatory/immunosuppressive responses indicated (rise in NO, TNF-α, and IL-10), and an oxidative stress status (increase in serum MDA). However, 5 Gy γ-irradiation was not observed, herein, as a single immunosuppressive agent. To conclude, during radiotherapy, immunological impact(s) of the used radiation doses should be optimized and followed-up closely to assess the risk/benefit of their usage.

Untargeted Metabolomics Pilot Study Using UHPLC-qTOF MS Profile in Sows' Urine Reveals Metabolites of Bladder Inflammation

Urinary tract infections (UTI) of sows (characterized by ascending infections of the urinary bladder (cyst), ureters, and renal pelvis), are major health issues with a significant economic impact to the swine industry. The current detection of UTI incidents lacks sensitivity; thus, UTIs remain largely under-diagnosed. The value of metabolomics in unraveling the mechanisms of sow UTI has not yet been established. This study aims to investigate the urine metabolome of sows for UTI biomarkers. Urine samples were collected from 58 culled sows from a farrow-to-finish herd in Greece. Urine metabolomic profiles in 31 healthy controls and in 27 inflammatory ones were evaluated. UHPLC-qTOF MS/MS was applied for the analysis with a combination of multivariate and univariate statistical analysis. Eighteen potential markers were found. The changes in several urine metabolites classes (nucleosides, indoles, isoflavones, and dipeptides), as well as amino-acids allowed for an adequate discrimination between the study groups. Identified metabolites were involved in purine metabolism; phenylalanine; tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis; and phenylalanine metabolism. Through ROC analysis it was shown that the 18 identified metabolite biomarkers exhibited good predictive accuracy. In summary, our study provided new information on the potential targets for predicting early and accurate diagnosis of UTI. Further, this information also sheds light on how it could be applied in live animals.

Red propolis reduces inflammation in cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats

Introduction.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is used to treat malignant neoplasias and control autoimmune diseases. Still, one of its metabolites, acrolein, is toxic to the urothelium and can lead to hemorrhagic cystitis and severe discomfort.

Objective.

To evaluate the ability of red propolis to prevent and treat CP-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats.

Materials and methods.

Red propolis was extracted in 1% gum arabic and administered subcutaneously (sc). In the first experiment, groups IA, IIA, and IIIA and groups IB, IIB, and IIIB received water, gum arabic (GA), or propolis, respectively, for 30 days. Then water (controls) or CP (treatment) was administered i.p. In the second experiment, groups IVA, VA, and VIA received water i.p. while groups IVB, VB, and VIB received CP i.p. This was followed by 5 injections at 2-hour intervals with either water, GA, or propolis. Bladder tissue was examined according to Gray’s criteria.

Results.

The total inflammatory histology score was significantly smaller in group VIB (11.33 ± 2.07). Mild inflammation predominated in group VIB while most of the animals in group IVB had severe inflammation (p=0.0375). Ulcers were predominantly multiple in Groups IVA and VB but rare or absent in Group VIB (p=0.0118). Urothelial cells were mostly absent in groups IVB and VB and present/normal in group VIB (p=0.0052). Fibrin was abundant in groups IVB and VA but mostly absent in group VIB (p=0.0273).

Conclusions.

Red propolis can reduce inflammation in CP-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats.

Tropisetron ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats

Hemorrhagic cystitis is one of the most important complications of cyclophosphamide, a drug widely used in cancer chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. 5-HT₃ antagonists are anti-emetic agents and have been shown to have notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of tropisetron against cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats. Hemorrhagic cystitis was induced in female rats by cyclophosphamide (270 mg/kg). Tropisetron (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg), granisetron (2.5 and 5 mg/kg), and ondansetron (5 mg/kg) were injected 15 min before, 4 and 8 h after cyclophosphamide. To evaluate the role of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), its antagonist, methyllycaconitine (5 mg/kg) was administered 30 min before tropisetron. After 24 h, animals were killed under anesthesia. Macroscopic and histological changes were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and Evans blue were measured spectrophotometrically. Furthermore, the protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (P38 MAPK), p-P38, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), p-STAT3 and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were determined using Western blot. Cyclophosphamide administration significantly induced histopathological damages and increased MDA, p-p38/p38, p-STAT3/STAT3, and PARP levels compared with the saline group. Tropisetron treatment diminished histopathological injuries as well as MDA level, and STAT3 activity compared to cyclophosphamide treated rats. Co-administration of methyllycaconitine with tropisetron, partially or completely reversed the protective effects of tropisetron. Our results showed that prophylactic administration of tropisetron markedly ameliorated the cyclophosphamide-induced bladder hemorrhage and inflammation in rats. These effects of tropisetron were α7nAChR dependent.

Uroprotective mechanism of quercetin against cyclophosphamide-induced urotoxicity: Effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers

The urotoxicity is a common complication associated with patients receiving cyclophosphamide (CYP). This study was designed to investigate the uroprotective mechanism of quercetin (Quer) flavonoid against CYP induced urotoxicity via determination of oxidative stress markers as well as inflammatory mediators in bladder tissue. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups; Normal group: received saline for 10 days. Quer control group: received quercetin 50 mg/kg/day for 10 days. CYP group: received saline for 10 days and injected with a single dose of 150 mg/kg CYP intraperitoneal (i.p) at day 8. The Quer + CYP group: received Quer 50 mg/kg/day for 10 days plus CYP 150 mg/kg i.p. injection at day 8. The CYP injection produced a significant elevation in bladder contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO), and bladder protein levels and expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in addition to the upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) bladder gene expression. Also, CYP injection showed a marked reduction in bladder levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and IL-10 when compared with normal group. Moreover, histopathological examination of the bladder showed degenerative alterations, severe edema, and inflammation following CYP injection. Quer attenuated the biochemical markers and histopathological changes induced by CYP. The uroprotective effect of Quer was exerted by restoring the balance between oxidative/antioxidative status and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Can propolis and caffeic acid phenethyl ester be promising agents against cyclophosphamide toxicity?

Propolis is a mixture having hundreds of polyphenols including caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). They have been using in several medical conditions/diseases in both in vitro and in vivo experimental setup. Cyclophosphamide (CP) has been used to treat a broad of malignancies including Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Ewing's sarcoma, breast cancer, testicular cancer, etc. It may cause several side effects after treatment. In this mini review, the protective effects of propolis and CAPE were compared each other in terms of effectiveness against CP-induced injuries.