Protective effect of taurine against potassium bromate-induced hemoglobin oxidation, oxidative stress, and impairment of antioxidant defense system in blood

Protective effects of Urtica dioica on the cerebral cortex damage induced by Potassium bromate in adult male albino rats

Potassium bromate is used in cheese production, beer making and is also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic. It is a proven carcinogen as it is a strong oxidizing agent that generates free radicals during xenobiotic metabolism. Urtica dioica (Ud) (from the plants' family of Urticaceae) is a plant that has long been used as a medicinal plant in many parts of the world. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunosuppressive properties. So, this study aimed to clarify the effect of Potassium bromate on the histological structure of cerebral cortex of adult male albino rats, evaluate the possible protective role of Urtica dioica. Thirty adult healthy male albino rats were divided into three groups; group I (Control group), group II (KBrO3 treated group). Group III (KBrO3 and Urtica dioica treated group).At the end of the experiment, rats in all groups were anesthetized and specimens were processed for light and electron microscope. Morphometric and statistical analyses were also performed. Nerve cells of the treated group showed irregular contours, dark nuclei, irregular nuclear envelopes, dilated RER cisternae, and mitochondria with ruptured cristae. Vacuolated neuropil was also observed. Immunohistochemically, stained sections for GFAP showed strong positive reaction in the processes of astrocytes. Recovery group showed revealed nearly the same as the histological picture as the control group. In conclusion, potassium bromate induces degenerative effects on neurons of cerebral cortex and urtica dioica provide an important neuroprotective effects against these damaging impacts through their antioxidant properties.

Comparative study between effects of ginkgo biloba extract and extract loaded on gold nanoparticles on hepatotoxicity induced by potassium bromate

In human organs, potassium bromate (KBrO3) produces toxicity. The main causes of KBrO3 hepatotoxicity are the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage. The purpose of this study is to show how ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) and extract loaded with nanogold particles (GBE@AuNPs) affect hepatotoxicity caused by KBrO3. The rats were separated into eight groups: control (group I), GBE (group II), AuNPs (group III), GBE@AuNPs (group IV), KBrO3 (group V), KBrO3 and GBE (group VI), KBrO3 and AuNPS (group VII), and KBrO3 and GBE@AuNPs (group VIII). KBrO3 generated DNA damage spots in a comet assay, which were associated with increased inflammatory indicators (IL-6), decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and increased apoptotic markers (Bax and caspase-3). The inflammatory, apoptotic, and ultrastructural alterations in liver tissue produced by KBrO3 were reduced in treated groups VI, VII, or VIII. The hepatotoxic effects of KBrO3 were reduced when GBE, AuNPs, or GBE@AuNPs were used; the particular GBE@AuNPs were the most effective.

Oxidative Stress and Nuclear Reprogramming: A Pilot Study of the Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species on Architectural and Epigenetic Landscapes

Cell genome integrity is continuously threatened by various sources, both endogenous and exogenous. Oxidative stress causes a multitude of damages, severely affecting cell viability, fidelity of genetic information inheritance, and determining profound alterations in gene expression. Epigenetics represents a major form of gene expression modulation, influencing DNA accessibility to transcription factors and the overall nuclear architecture. When assessing the stress-induced epigenome reprogramming, widely diffused biochemical and molecular approaches commonly fail to incorporate analyses such as architectural chromatin alterations and target molecules precise spatial localization. Unveiling the significance of the nuclear response to the oxidative stress, as well as the functional effects over the chromatin organization, may reveal targets and strategies for approaches aiming at limiting the impact on cellular stability. For these reasons, we utilized potassium bromate treatment, a stressor able to induce DNA damages without altering the cellular microenvironment, hence purely modeling nuclear oxidative stress. By means of high-resolution techniques, we described profound alterations in DNA and histone epigenetic modifications and in chromatin organization in response to the reactive oxygen species.

Toxicological outcome of phthalate exposure on male fertility: Ameliorative impacts of the co-administration of N-acetylcysteine and zinc sulfate in rats

Background

Reports have shown that humans are consistently exposed to environmental toxicants such as phthalate (PHT) during their daily activities. This results in reproductive dysfunction and infertility-related issues as already noted in human and experimental animals. We therefore designed this study to investigate fertility outcome in phthalate-exposed male rats treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) with the view of providing a therapeutic alternative to reproductive toxicity caused by phthalate. The research was done in two phases. In phase 1, thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of five (n = 7) groups given the following treatments for 21 days: group A was given distilled water as a control, while groups B, C, D, and E were given phthalate (750 mg/kg/day). Animals in groups C to E were also given ZnSO4 (0.5 mg/kg/day), N-acetylcysteine (100 mg/kg/day), and ZnSO4 (0.5 mg/kg/day) + N-acetylcysteine (100 mg/kg/day) in addition to phthalate. In phase 2, animals from groups in phase 1 were mated with females for fecundity testing.

Results

The result shows alteration in testicular and epididymis weight and testis/epididymis ratio, semen parameters, sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction, sperm DNA, serum Zn and Mg, testicular mitochondria apoptosis mechanisms (TNF-α and BCL-2), and testicular Ca2+-ATPase as well as fecundity outcome in the phthalate-treated group. However, ZnSO4 and NAC successfully ameliorated the deleterious effects of phthalate on semen parameters, sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction, serum electrolyte and mitochondria apoptosis mechanisms, and testicular electrogenic Ca2+-ATPase in phthalate-induced male rats with a better outcome in the combined therapy. Pregnancy outcome and litter sizes were also higher in the combined therapy when also compared with the phthalate-treated groups.

Conclusion

According to the result, ZnSO4 and NAC increased fertility outcome in phthalate-treated male rats through enhancement of testicular BCL-2, serum electrolyte, testicular Ca2+ATPase pumps, and cytoprotection.

Taurine as a Natural Antioxidant: From Direct Antioxidant Effects to Protective Action in Various Toxicological Models

Natural antioxidants have received tremendous attention over the last 3 decades. At the same time, the attitude to free radicals is slowly changing, and their signalling role in adaptation to stress has recently received a lot of attention. Among many different antioxidants in the body, taurine (Tau), a sulphur-containing non-proteinogenic β-amino acid, is shown to have a special place as an important natural modulator of the antioxidant defence networks. Indeed, Tau is synthesised in most mammals and birds, and the Tau requirement is met by both synthesis and food/feed supply. From the analysis of recent data, it could be concluded that the direct antioxidant effect of Tau due to scavenging free radicals is limited and could be expected only in a few mammalian/avian tissues (e.g., heart and eye) with comparatively high (>15-20 mM) Tau concentrations. The stabilising effects of Tau on mitochondria, a prime site of free radical formation, are characterised and deserve more attention. Tau deficiency has been shown to compromise the electron transport chain in mitochondria and significantly increase free radical production. It seems likely that by maintaining the optimal Tau status of mitochondria, it is possible to control free radical production. Tau's antioxidant protective action is of great importance in various stress conditions in human life, and is related to commercial animal and poultry production. In various in vitro and in vivo toxicological models, Tau showed AO protective effects. The membrane-stabilizing effects, inhibiting effects on ROS-producing enzymes, as well as the indirect AO effects of Tau via redox balance maintenance associated with the modulation of various transcription factors (e.g., Nrf2 and NF-κB) and vitagenes could also contribute to its protective action in stress conditions, and thus deserve more attention.

Taurine treatment decreases inflammation and oxidative stress in lungs of adult mice exposed to cigarette smoke

Taurine is the major free amino acid found in mammalian cells and is known to be an antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing agent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of taurine on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the lungs of mice exposed to cigarette smoke. Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups: control group (CG), vehicle group (VG), taurine group (TG), cigarette smoke group (CSG), and cigarette smoke + taurine group (CSTG). For five consecutive days, CSG and CSTG were exposed to 4 cigarettes 3 times a day. Taurine administration was able to reduce total leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in CSTG compared to CSG. There was an increase in antioxidant superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in CSG compared to that in CG and TG, and a decrease in CSTG compared to CSG. There was an increase in the concentration of TNF and IL-17 in CSG and CSTG compared to CG and TG. There was an increase in the concentration of IL-22 in CSG compared to CG and TG, and a decrease in CSTG compared to CSG. The administration of taurine has been shown to reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by short-term exposure to cigarette smoke.

Preventive effects of taurine against d-galactose-induced cognitive dysfunction and brain damage

Oxidative stress arising from life processes or environmental influences and its resultant cellular dysfunctions are major causes of neurodegenerative disorders. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether taurine (Tau) can prevent d-galactose-induced cognitive dysfunction and brain oxidative damage. Mice given with Tau supplementation (100 and 400 mg per kg BW per day) spent shorter (p < 0.05) time in searching target in d-galactose (100 mg per kg BW per day) treated mice in a water maze reference memory experiment. Moreover, Tau supplementation extended (p < 0.05) the searching period around the target quadrant in the probe test of the water maze, and neuronal degeneration and nucleus shrinkage in the hippocampus dentate gyrus area of d-galactose treated mice were observed to be attenuated. Tau also downregulated (p < 0.05) expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (Gfap) and of the cluster of differentiation marker Cd11b; meanwhile, it strengthened (p < 0.05) antioxidant capacity and lowered (p < 0.05) the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the brain. Therefore, Tau could be effective to ameliorate oxidative damage and inflammation in the brain, and apoptosis of brain cells, which further lessen the cognitive dysfunction.

Deleterious effects of potassium bromate administration on renal and hepatic tissues of Swiss mice

Potassium bromate (KBrO₃) is widely used as a food additive and is a major water disinfection by-product. The present study reports the side effects of KBrO₃ administration in Swiss mice. Animals were randomly divided into three groups: control, low dose KBrO₃ (100 mg/kg/day) and high dose KBrO₃ (200 mg/kg/day) groups. Administration of KBrO₃ led to decreased white blood corpuscles (WBCs), red blood corpuscles (RBCs) and platelets count in the animals of both the high and the low dose groups. Altered lipid profile represented as low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and cholesterol levels were observed in plasma samples of both KBrO₃ treated groups of mice. Also, an increased plasma level of LDH was detected in both KBrO₃ treated groups. Histological investigations showed impaired renal and hepatic histology that was concomitant with increased plasma Creatinine level in both of KBrO₃-treated groups. Nevertheless, decreased glutathione (GSH) level in both renal and hepatic tissue of mice after KBrO₃ intake was detected. These results show that KBrO₃ has serious damaging effects and therefore, its use should be avoided.

Gene Profiles in a Smoke-Induced COPD Mouse Lung Model Following Treatment with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) effectively reduce airway inflammation and regenerate the alveolus in cigarette- and elastase-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) animal models. The effects of stem cells are thought to be paracrine and immune-modulatory because very few stem cells remain in the lung one day after their systemic injection, which has been demonstrated previously. In this report, we analyzed the gene expression profiles to compare mouse lungs with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke with non-exposed lungs. Gene expression profiling was also conducted in a mouse lung tissue with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke following the systemic injection of human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hCB-MSCs). Globally, 834 genes were differentially expressed after systemic injection of hCB-MSCs. Seven and 21 genes, respectively, were up-and downregulated on days 1, 4, and 14 after HCB-MSC injection. The Hbb and Hba, genes with oxygen transport and antioxidant functions, were increased on days 1 and 14. A serine protease inhibitor was also increased at a similar time point after injection of hCB-MSCs. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that the levels of genes related to immune responses, metabolic processes, and blood vessel development were altered, indicating host responses after hCB-MSC injection. These gene expression changes suggest that MSCs induce a regeneration mechanism against COPD induced by cigarette smoke. These analyses provide basic data for understanding the regeneration mechanisms promoted by hCB-MSCs in cigarette smoke-induced COPD.

Oral administration of potassium bromate induces neurobehavioral changes, alters cerebral neurotransmitters level and impairs brain tissue of swiss mice

Background

Potassium bromate (KBrO₃) is widely used as a food additive and is a major water disinfection by-product. The present study reports the side effects of KBrO₃ administration on the brain functions and behaviour of albino mice.

Methods

Animals were divided into three groups: control, low dose KBrO₃ (100 mg/kg/day) and high dose KBrO₃ (200 mg/kg/day) groups.

Results

Administration of KBrO₃ led to a significant change in the body weight in the animals of the high dose group in the first, second and the last weeks while water consumption was not significantly changed. Neurobehavioral changes and a reduced Neurotransmitters levels were observed in both KBrO₃ groups of mice. Also, the brain level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in KBrO₃ receiving animals was decreased. Histological studies favoured these biochemical results showing extensive damage in the histological sections of brain of KBrO₃-treated animals.

Conclusions

These results show that KBrO₃ has serious damaging effects on the central nervous system and therefore, its use should be avoided.

Taurine Regulates Mitochondrial Function During 7,12-Dimethyl Benz[a]anthracene Induced Experimental Mammary Carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVES

The present study was undertaken to determine the modulatory effect of taurine on the liver mitochondrial enzyme system with reference to mitochondrial lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidants, major tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes, and electron transport chain enzymes during 7,12-dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced breast cancer in Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODS

Animals in which breast cancer had been induced by using DMBA (25 mg/kg body weight) showed an increase in mitochondrial LPO together with decreases in enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)), non-enzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, and vitamin E), in citric acid cycle enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), alpha ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (alpha KDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH)), and in electron transport chain (ETC) complexes.

RESULTS

Taurine (100 mg/kg body weight) treatment decreased liver mitochondrial LPO and augmented the activities/levels of enzymic, and non-enzymic antioxidants, tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes and ETC complexes.

CONCLUSION

The results of our present study demonstrated the chemotherapeutic efficacy of taurine treatment for DMBA-induced breast carcinomas.