Novel insights into the potential mechanisms underlying carbendazim-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

A SERS aptasensor based on a flexible substrate for interference-free detection of carbendazim in apple

Non-destructive and interference-free monitoring of pesticide residue on the surface of fruits is still a challenge. Herein, a SERS aptasensor based on a flexible substrate was established for effective carbendazim (CBZ) detection on apple peel. In this sensor, electrospun PVDF/CQDs film served as a flexible supporting substrate. AuNS@Ag was liquid-liquid self-assembled on the PVDF/CQDs film to form a uniform and highly active SERS substrate. During the detection process, aptamers specifically capture the CBZ molecules, while nitrile-mediated Raman tag (MMBN) linked to AuNPs provided optical anti-interference signals. The results showed that the developed sensor had high sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability for CBZ detection. Importantly, the flexibility of the SERS substrate helped the sensor realize non-invasive CBZ detection at a concentration as low as 1.20 ng/cm2 on apple peel, which is much lower than the maximum residue limits of CBZ in apples.

Chitosan nanoparticle encapsulation increased the prophylactic efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 against AFM1-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a significant contaminant of food, particularly dairy products and can resist various industrial processes. Several probiotic strains like Lactobacillus plantarum are known to reduce aflatoxin availability in synthetic media and some food products. The current work investigated the possible chitosan coating prophylactic efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 nanoemulsion (CS-RM1) against AFM1-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 7) as follows: group 1 received normal saline, group 2 received CS-RM1 (1mL contains 6.7 × 1010 CFU), group 3 received AFM1 (60 µg/kg bwt), and group 4 received both CS-RM1(1 mL contains 6.7 × 1010 CFU) and AFM1 (60 µg/kg bwt). All receiving materials were given to rats daily via oral gavage for 28 days. AFM1 caused a significant elevation in serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, uric acid, urea, and creatinine with marked alterations in protein and lipid profiles. Additionally, AFM1 caused marked pathological changes in the liver and kidneys, such as cellular necrosis, vascular congestion, and interstitial inflammation. AFM1 also increased the MDA levels and decreased several enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Liver and kidney sections of the AFM1 group displayed strong caspase-3, TNF-α, and iNOS immunopositivity. Co-treatment of CS-RM1 with AFM1 significantly lowered the investigated toxicological parameter changes and markedly improved the microscopic appearance of liver and kidneys. In conclusion, AFM1 induces hepatorenal oxidative stress damage via ROS overgeneration, which induces mitochondrial caspase-3-dependent apoptosis and inflammation. Furthermore, CS-RM1 can reduce AFM1 toxicity in both the liver and kidneys. The study recommends adding CS-RM1 to milk and milk products for AFM1-elimination.

Ceratonia siliqua pods (Carob) methanol extract alleviates doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways in rats

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anti-neoplastic therapy, but its use is limited by its deleterious toxic effects including nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. This work aimed at assessing the potential protective effect of Ceratonia siliqua methanol extract (CME) on DOX-induced nephrotoxicity in 5 groups of Wistar rats. Nephrotoxicity was induced experimentally by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of DOX (15 mg/kg). DOX increased serum creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium levels. It elevated MDA levels in the renal tissue but decreased the concentration of GSH and the activity of GST, CAT, and SOD. Meanwhile, it decreased the level of immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory mediators: IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as the activity of MPO but increased the level of IL-6, TNF-α, and caspase-3 in the renal tissue. DOX has upregulated COX-2, caspase-9, and Bax gene expression and downregulated the Bcl-2 gene expression. Immunolabeling of renal tubular epithelium in DOX-intoxicated rats was moderate to strong against Bax, COX-2, and NF-kβ and weak against Bcl-2. Treatment with CME significantly restored the levels of kidney function parameters and the levels of oxidative stress markers. It stimulated the production of IL-10 and TGF-β and decreased the level of IL-6 and TNF-α. CME reverted the gene expression of COX-2, caspase-9, and Bax. Microscopically, CME alleviated the DOX-induced renal damage. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 26 compounds in the CME. No signs of acute toxicity were recorded by CME up to 4000 mg/kg b. wt. orally into mice. Finally, CME could effectively alleviate the deleterious effects of DOX on the kidney. The safety of carob extract encourages its use in the preparation of valuable therapeutic agents.

Low Dose of Carbendazim and Tebuconazole: Accumulation in Tissues and Effects on Hepatic Oxidative Stress in Mice

As two commonly used fungicides, carbendazim and tebuconazole are widely found in the environment and in foods. Studies have reported that these fungicides can induce hepatic oxidative stress and other health risks. Nevertheless, the influences of exposure to carbendazim and tebuconazole at their acceptable daily intake (ADI) doses on hepatic oxidative stress, and the residual distributions in mice remain unclear. To fill these gaps, ICR (CD-1) mice were exposed to carbendazim and tebuconazole at their ADI doses by oral administration for 4 weeks in this study. The results showed that tebuconazole accumulated primarily in the epididymal fat of mice (16.84 μg/kg), whereas no significant residues of carbendazim in the tissues were observed. In addition, exposure to ADI doses of tebuconazole significantly reduced liver coefficients and induced hepatic oxidative stress in mice, including elevating the levels of glutathione and malonaldehyde. However, no significant impacts were observed on the hepatic redox homeostasis in mice after exposure to carbendazim at its ADI dose. The results could be helpful for understanding the exposure risks of carbendazim and tebuconazole in terms of low doses and long term.

Ceratonia siliqua pods (Carob) methanol extract alleviates doxorubicin – induced nephrotoxicity via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2217042/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective antitumor therapy but its use is limited by its deleterious toxic effects including nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. The aim of this work was to assess the potential protective effect of Ceratonia siliqua methanol extract (CME) on DOX-induced nephrotoxicity in 5 groups of rats. Rats in groups 1and 2 were given normal saline while groups 3–5 were given Vitamin C (reference antioxidant, 250mg/kg), CME (500mg/kg) and CME (1000 mg/kg) for 5 days. On the 5th day, 1 hour after the last treatment dose, rats of groups 2–5 were given DOX in a dose of 15 mg/kg IP. DOX increased serum creatinine, urea, sodium and potassium and decreased GSH concentration, GST, CAT, SOD and MPO activities but increased MDA. It increased the inflammatory mediators (COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κβ) but decreased the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and the Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). DOX has up-regulated COX-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax and NF- κβ transcripts and down-regulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 as assessed by immunohistochemistry and gene expression analysis. CME significantly improved the levels of kidney function parameters and restored the levels of the oxidative stress markers. It also decreased the level of COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κβ and stimulated the production of IL-10 and TGF-β. CME down-regulated the expression levels of the Bax, Cox-2 and caspases and up-regulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Microscopically, CME alleviated the DOX-induced renal damage in dose dependent manner. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 26 compounds among which 4 major compounds (over 5%) in the CME. Acute toxicity test revealed that CME is not toxic up to 5 g/kg orally into rats. In conclusion, CME could effectively alleviate the deleterious effects of DOX on the kidney. The safety of carob extract encourages its use in the preparation of valuable therapeutic agents.

A Comprehensive Study on the Mechanistic Way of Hexaflumuron and Hymexazol Induced Neurobehavioral Toxicity in Rats

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture to kill pests, but their action is non-selective and results in several hazardous effects on humans and animals. Pesticide toxicity has been demonstrated to alter a variety of neurological functions and predisposes to various neurodegenerative diseases. Although, there is no data available for hexaflumuron (HFM) and hymexazol (HML) neurotoxicity. Hence, the present study aims to investigate the possible mechanisms of HFM and HML neurotoxicity. 21 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups and daily received the treatment via oral gavage for 14 days as follows: group (1) normal saline, group (2) HFM (1/100LD50), and group (3) HML (1/100 LD50). Our results revealed that both HFM and HML produced a significant increase in MDA levels and a decrease in GSH and CAT activity in some brain areas. There were severe histopathological alterations mainly neuronal necrosis and gliosis in different examined areas. Upregulation of mRNA levels of JNK and Bax with downregulation of Bcl-2 was also recorded in both pesticides exposed groups. In all studied toxicological parameters, HML produced neurotoxicity more than HFM. HFM targets the cerebral cortex and striatum, while HML targets the cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum. We can conclude that both HFM and HML provoke neurobehavioral toxicity through oxidative stress that impairs the mitochondrial function and activates the JNK-dependent apoptosis pathway.