Protective potential of curcumin or taurine on nephrotoxicity caused by bisphenol A

Qi Wei Anti-burn Tincture Remodels Liver Metabolic Pathways and Treats Burn Wounds Efficiently

This work aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Qi Wei anti-burn Tincture (QW) on wound healing in burnt mice using metabolomics and molecular biology techniques. A scald model was first established in Kunming mice. After treatment, biochemical indicators for liver function and burnt skin tissues were then evaluated via biochemical detection and HE staining, respectively. Liver tissues were further analyzed for differential metabolites, inflammatory factors, and mRNA levels of cytokines using metabolomics and molecular biology techniques. Involved metabolic pathways were also identified using software. QW treatment did promote the healing of the burn wounds in Kunming mice with a downregulation of ALP, ALT, and AST to normal levels. In mouse liver tissue, the contents of glutamine, aspartic acid, and citrulline were significantly reduced, while the contents of 5-hydroxyproline, taurine, hypotaurine, and glutamic acid significantly increased. These major differential compounds are involved in the arginine metabolic pathway, nitrogen excretion, and the metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine, suggesting that QW reprogramed the above metabolic processes in the liver. Furthermore, the application of QW increased the expression of TGF-β1 and FGF-2 and reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and reactive oxygen species in the liver of mice induced by burn injury. This study found that QW treatment promoted metabolic pathway remodeling in the liver, which might be a potential mechanism for QW to treat burn wounds.

Protective roles of some natural and synthetic aromatase inhibitors in testicular insufficiency caused by Bisphenol A exposure

In our study, the protective role of synthetic aromatase inhibitors anastrozole (ANS), letrozole (LTZ) and exemestane (EXM) and natural aromatase inhibitors resveratrol (RSV) and apigenin (APG) against testicular failure caused by exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) was investigated. The epididymal sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology were determined. Oxidative stress and inflammatory response parameters were examined and histological examinations were performed in testicular tissues. Our results revealed that BPA exposure decreased serum testosterone and estrogen levels, increased FSH and LH levels (p < 0.05). BPA has been found to increase oxidative stress and inflammatory response and disrupt the histological structure. Also, BPA exposure decreased testicular weight, epididymal sperm concentration and motility, and increased abnormal sperm rate (p < 0.05). These results show that ANS, LTZ and RSV treatments reduce the BPA-induced testicular damage.

Environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity: Implications on mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Kidneys are one of the most important organs in the human body. In addition to filtering 200 liters of fluid every 24 hours, the kidney also regulates acid-base balance, maintains electrolyte balance, and removes waste and toxicants from the body. Nephrotoxicity is the term used to describe the deterioration of kidney function caused by the harmful effects of medications and various types of environmental toxicants. Exposure to environmental toxicants is an inevitable side effect in the world's increasing industrialization and even more prevalent in underdeveloped nations. Growing data over the past few years has illuminated the probable connection between environmental toxicants and nephrotoxicity. Phthalates, microplastics, acrylamide and bisphenol A are environmental toxicants of particular concern, which are known to have nephrotoxic effects. Such toxicants may accumulate in the kidneys of humans after being consumed, inhaled, or come into contact with the skin. They can enter cells through endocytosis and accumulate in the cytoplasm. Small-sized nephrotoxicants can cause a variety of ailments including inflammation with increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and apoptosis. This study uncovers the potential for new insights concerning the relationship between various environmental toxicants and kidney health. The objectives of this review is to establish information gaps, assess and identify the toxicity mechanisms of different nephrotoxicants, identify innovative pharmacological therapies that demonstrate promising therapeutic benefits/ relevance, and discuss the predictions for the future based on the analysis of the literature.

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid exerts cardioprotective effects against BPA-induced cardiotoxicity through antiapoptotic and antioxidant mechanisms

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic environmental pollutant widely used in industry, as well as is an endocrine disrupting chemicals and has a toxic effects on heart tissue. The aim of this study is to reveal the cardioprotective effects of 18β-glycyrretinic acid (GA) against BPA-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. In this study, 40 male rats were used and five different groups (each group includes eight rats) were formed. The rats were applied BPA (250 mg/kg b.w.) alone or with GA (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. Rats were killed on Day 15 and heart tissues were taken for analysis. GA treatment decreased serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB levels, reducing BPA-induced heart damage. GA treatment showed ameliorative effects against lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress caused by BPA by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and GSH level of the heart tissue and decreasing the MDA level. In addition, GA showed antiapoptotic effect by increasing Bcl-2, procaspase-3, and -9 protein expression levels and decreasing Bax, cytochrome c, and P53 protein levels in heart tissue. As a result, it was found that GA has cardioprotective effects on heart tissue by exhibiting antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects against heart damage caused by BPA, an environmental pollutant. Thus, it was supported that GA could be a potential cardioprotective agent.

Curcumin mitigates gentamicin induced-renal and cardiac toxicity via modulation of Keap1/Nrf2, NF-κB/iNOS and Bcl-2/BAX pathways

Gentamicin (GEN) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat gram-negative bacterial infections. Our study aimed to explore curcumin's (CMN) protective role against GEN-induced renal and cardiac toxicity. Rats were randomly classified into 4 equal groups; Control (cont), GEN (100 mg/kg b.wt, i.p.) for seven days, CMN (200 mg/kg b.wt, orally) for 21 days, and CMN + GEN groups. GEN caused renal and cardiac dysfunctions; increased urea, creatinine, uric acid, cystatin C, CK-MB, LDH, and troponin I serum levels. MDA level was elevated significantly while activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH level were reduced significantly in renal and cardiac tissues. GEN-intoxicated rats showed up-regulation of NF-κB, IL-1β, Keap1, HMOX1, and BAX with down-regulation of Nrf2, and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in renal and cardiac tissues. Also, GEN-induced up-regulation of renal mRNA expression of KIM-1, NGAL, and intermediate filament proteins [desmin, nestin, and vimentin] as well cardiac gene expression of cMyBP-C and H-FABP. GEN-induced toxicity was significantly attenuated by CMN co-treatment as CMN improved renal and cardiac biomarkers, reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and reversed alterations in mRNA expression of all tested renal and cardiac genes. These outcomes indicated that CMN could protect renal and cardiac tissues against GEN-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Zinc Deficiency Exacerbates Bisphenol A-Induced Hepatic and Renal Damage: Delineation of Molecular Mechanisms

Zinc (Zn) plays an important role in the maintenance of redox status in the biological system. Zn deficiency has been found to be associated with negative effects on the functioning of many organ systems, including hepatic and renal systems. Bisphenol A (BPA) can alter Zn homeostasis and perturb the physiological system by provoking oxidative stress, which can lead to damage of different organs such as reproductive, immune, neuroendocrine, hepatic and renal systems. The present study aims to investigate the toxicity of BPA in Zn deficient condition in the liver and kidney of rat and to correlate its synergistic actions. Zn deficiency was induced by feeding Zn-deficient diet (ZDD), and BPA was administered orally (100 mg/kg/d). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: NPD + Vehicle (normal feed and water), NPD + BPA (100 mg/kg/d), ZDD + Vehicle (fed with Zn-deficient diet only) and ZDD + BPA (Zn-deficient diet + BPA; 100 mg/kg/d) for 8 weeks. Biochemical, histopathological, TUNEL assay and protein expression profiles were determined to decipher the oxidative damage induced by ZDD and the toxicant BPA. Expression profile of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, superoxide dismutase-1, metallothionein and apoptosis incidence showed that ZDD and BPA have a synergistic exacerbation effect on the liver and kidney of rat.

The role of curcumin in the liver-gut system diseases: from mechanisms to clinical therapeutic perspective

Natural products have provided abundant sources of lead compounds for new drug discovery and development over the past centuries. Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol isolated from turmeric, a plant used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Despite the low oral bioavailability, curcumin exhibits profound medicinal value in various diseases, especially liver and gut diseases, bringing an interest in the paradox of its low bioavailability but high bioactivity. Several latest studies suggest that curcumin's health benefits may rely on its positive gastrointestinal effects rather than its poor bioavailability solely. Microbial antigens, metabolites, and bile acids regulate metabolism and immune responses in the intestine and liver, suggesting the possibility that the liver-gut axis bidirectional crosstalk controls gastrointestinal health and diseases. Accordingly, these pieces of evidence have evoked great interest in the curcumin-mediated crosstalk among liver-gut system diseases. The present study discussed the beneficial effects of curcumin against common liver and gut diseases and explored the underlying molecular targets, as well as collected evidence from human clinical studies. Moreover, this study summarized the roles of curcumin in complex metabolic interactions in liver and intestine diseases supporting the application of curcumin in the liver-gut system as a potential therapeutic option, which opens an avenue for clinical use in the future.

Curcumin intake during lactation suppresses oxidative stress through upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in the kidneys of fructose-loaded female rat offspring exposed to maternal protein restriction

BACKGROUND

A high-fructose diet causes the progression of chronic kidney disease. Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy and lactation increases oxidative stress, leading to chronic renal diseases later in life. We investigated whether curcumin intake during lactation could suppress oxidative stress and regulate NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression in the kidneys of fructose-loaded female rat offspring exposed to maternal protein restriction.

METHODS

Pregnant Wistar rats received diets containing 20% (NP) or 8% (LP) casein and 0 or 2.5 g "highly absorptive curcumin" /kg diet containing-LP diets (LP/LP or LP/Cur) during lactation. At weaning, female offspring received either distilled water (W) or 10% fructose solution (Fr) and were divided into four groups: NP/NP/W, LP/LP/W, LP/LP/Fr, and LP/Cur/Fr. At week 13, glucose (Glc), triacylglycerol (Tg), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the plasma, macrophages number, fibrotic area, glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, protein expression levels of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in the kidneys were examined.

RESULTS

The plasma levels of Glc, TG, and MDA, the number of macrophages, and the percentage of fibrotic area in the kidneys of the LP/Cur/Fr group were significantly lower than those of the LP/LP/Fr group. The expression of Nrf2 and its downstream molecules HO-1 and SOD1, GSH levels, and GPx activity in the kidneys of the LP/Cur/Fr group were significantly higher than those of the LP/LP/Fr group.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal curcumin intake during lactation may suppress oxidative stress by upregulating Nrf2 expression in the kidneys of fructose-loaded female offspring exposed to maternal protein restriction.

Taurine alleviates ochratoxin A-induced pyroptosis in PK-15 cells by inhibiting oxidative stress

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most harmful mycotoxins, which can cause multiple toxicological effects, especially nephrotoxicity in animals and humans. Taurine is an essential amino acid with various biological functions such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation. However, the protective effect of taurine on OTA-induced nephrotoxicity and pyroptosis had not been reported. Our results showed that OTA exposure induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in PK-15 cells, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, increased mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and decreased mRNA levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4). In addition, OTA treatment induced pyroptosis by increasing the expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, GSDMD, Caspase-1 P20, ASC, Pro-caspase-1, and IL-1β. Meanwhile, taurine could alleviate OTA-induced pyroptosis and cytotoxicity, as well as reduce ROS level, COX-2, and iNOS mRNA levels, and increase the mRNA levels of the antioxidant enzyme in PK-15 cells. Taken together, taurine alleviated OTA-induced pyroptosis in PK-15 cells by inhibiting ROS generation and altering the activity of antioxidant enzymes, thereby attenuating its nephrotoxicity.

Untargeted Lipidomics Revealed the Protective Effects of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on Bisphenol A-Induced Liver Lipid Metabolism Disorder in Rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic endocrine disruptor that induces metabolic disorders. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) has multiple functional activities and is the most abundant anthocyanin belonging to the flavonoid subgroup. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of C3G on BPA-induced liver lipid metabolism disorder and explore its mechanism via lipidomics analysis. The results showed that C3G supplementation significantly ameliorated the serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols (TG), and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST). Furthermore, liver lipidomics indicated that C3G effectively facilitated the recovery of differential lipid metabolites, including TGs, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylinositol, cholesteryl esters, and phosphatidylserine, and reversed the levels of hepatic lipid synthesis-related genes. Our results suggest that C3G has an effective regulatory effect on BPA-induced disorders of lipid metabolism.

Curcumin alleviates aristolochic acid nephropathy based on SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

Aristolochic acid I (AA-I), presenting in a variety of natural medicinal plants, which could cause tubular epithelial cell injury. Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenolic substance isolated from turmeric, is a natural antioxidant. The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether CUR attenuated AA-I-induced renal injury in rats through the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. SD rats were treated with AA-I (10 mg/kg) or/and CUR (200 mg/kg) for 28 days to assess the protective effect of CUR on AA-I-induced renal injury in vivo. NRK-52E cells were treated with AA-I (40 μ M) or/and CUR (20 μ M) for 24 h in vitro. The intervention pathway of CUR against oxidative stress injury induced by AA-I was assessed by observing pathological changes, oxidative stress status, apoptosis and the expression of SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway-related factors. The results showed that AA-I exposure increased the contents of BUN, Cr, KIM-1, NGAL, ALT and AST in serum. It increased the content of MDA, decreased the activities of SOD, GST, GSH and the content of ATP in renal tissue. Pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and mitochondrial injury occurred in renal tissue. AA-I exposure resulted in a substantial rise in the levels of BAX, Ccaspase-9, Cleaved Caspase-9, Caspase-3, Cleaved Caspase-3 and a significant decrease in mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2, SIRT1, Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1 and Keap1. However, these changes were reversed by CUR intervention. In summary, AA-I exposure caused mitochondrial dysfunction and triggered apoptosis through the oxidative stress pathway. However, CUR could reduce AA-I-induced renal injury by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

The effect of curcumin on some cytokines, antioxidants and liver function tests in rats induced by Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxins are common food contaminants threating human and animal health. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxication can lead to important health issues. Recent studies have revealed the therapeutic effect of curcumin (Cur) and have drawn attention in the pharmaceutical industry. The therapeutic efficacy of Cur on AFB1-induced oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory response, and hepatorenal damage has not been adequately studied. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective efficacy of Cur on several lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system enzymes, some pro-inflammatory cytokines, and liver function tests in rats suffering from chronic aflatoxicosis induced by AFB1 administered for sixty days. Rats were divided into five groups; Control (K), Dimethyl sulfoxide (D), Curcumin (Cur; 300 mg/kg/day, orally), AFB1 (AF; 250 μg/kg/day, oral) and AFB1+ Curcumin (AF + Cur). Oxidative stress caused by AFB1 caused an increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, and a decrease in glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. In addition, AFB1 led to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Liver function tests after chronic exposure to AFB1 showed that this toxic substance causes liver damage. Concomitant Cur administration normalized AFB1-induced oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and liver functions. This therapeutic effect of Cur on AFB1 was thought to be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Our results suggest that CUR supplementation in food as it shows beneficial effects particularly on liver impairment exerted by AFB1.

Assessment of the impact of aquaculture facilities on transplanted mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis): Integrating plasticizers and physiological analyses as a biomonitoring strategy

The growing plastic production and its continuous use is a significant problem. In addition, aquaculture practices have experienced a considerable growth and plastic is widely used in these activities, hence plasticizers must be considered due to their potential ecotoxicological impacts on species. Mussels placed inside an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system and at two control locations were employed to quantify the ingestion of anthropogenic particles and associated chemical plasticizers, such as bisphenol A (BPA) jointly to bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), and phthalates represented by diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In addition, some metabolism and oxidative stress related parameters were measured in mussels' whole soft tissue. Anthropogenic particle ingestion of mussels increased over time at the three locations and the following order of abundance of pollutants was observed: BPA> BPF> DEHP> DBP> BPS> DEP. Even though no differences according to location were found for pollutants' occurrence, time trends were evidenced for BPA and DEHP. On the other hand, a location effect was observed for biomarkers with highest values detected in mussels located at the vicinities of the aquaculture facility. In addition, a reduced detoxification activity was observed over time parallel to BPA decrease.

Methomyl-induced nephrotoxicity and protective effect of curcumin in male rats

We investigated the ameliorative effect of the curcumin against methomyl-induced potential nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino male rats. In the present study, curcumin (100 mg kg^-1 bw), methomyl (0,8 mg kg^-1 bw) and methomyl plus curcumin were given to rats by oral for 28 days (for subacute examination). Concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, uric acid and creatinine in serum and malondialdehyde level and activities of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S transferase) and histopathological alterations in kidney tissues were studied. Methomyl caused an increment in the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid and MDA levels. In addition, methomyl caused a diminution in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S transferase. Tubular and glomerular degenerations occurred in the kidney tissues of methomyl-received rats. However, coadministration of curcumin with methomyl significantly minimized the adverse effects of methomyl on kidney function parameters, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities and histological structure of kidney tissue. The results showed that curcumin significantly mitigated methomyl-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

A Metabolic Profiling Study of Realgar-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Mice

Realgar has been used as a type of mineral drug that contains arsenic for thousands of years. Previous studies have shown that Realgar-induced acute kidney injury is associated with abnormal metabolism, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the metabolic changes in serum and kidney tissues of mice exposed to Realgar by using a metabolomic approach and explore the molecular mechanisms of acute kidney injury induced by Realgar. Forty mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control group, 0.5-, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg Realgar group. After 1 week, the body weight and kidney weight of the mice were measured. The serum and kidney samples were used for LC-MS spectroscopic metabolic profiling. Principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, and pathway analysis were used to detect the nephrotoxic effects of Realgar. Body weight decreased significantly in the 2.0 g/kg group, and the kidney weight index also showed a dose-dependent increase in Realgar. The PCA score plot showed the serum and kidney tissue metabolic profile of mice exposed to 2.0 g/kg Realgar separated from the control group, while the lower-doses of 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg Realgar shown a similar view to the Control group. Thirty-three metabolites and seventeen metabolites were screened and identified in the serum and kidney of mice in a dose-dependent manner. respectively. Correlation analysis showed a strong correlation among these metabolites. Amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and purine metabolism pathways were found to be mainly associated with Realgar nephrotoxicity. This work illustrated the metabolic alterations in Realgar-induced nephrotoxic mice through a metabolomic approach.

Antifibrotic effect of curcumin, N-acetyl cysteine and propolis extract against bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity in rats: Prophylaxis versus co-treatment

AIMS

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to induce liver fibrosis in rodents. Therefore, this study examined the protective effect of a triple combination of curcumin (Cur), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and propolis (Prp) extract against BPA-induced hepatic fibrosis.

METHODS

100 Wistar male rats were equally assigned into 10 groups; one group was designated as control. 10 rats were gavaged with BPA (50 mg/kg/day) for 8 wk and left un-treated (BPA group). The remaining 80 rats were divided into 8 groups, distributed in 2 models. Protective model: rats were daily co-treated with BPA and Cur (100 mg/kg, p.o) or NAC (150 mg/kg, p.o) or Prp (200 mg/kg, p.o) or their combination for 8 wk. Preventive model: rats were daily treated with Cur or NAC or Prp or their combination for 4 wk before BPA administration and then in the same manner as protective model.

KEY FINDINGS

Current treatment interventions significantly alleviated BPA-induced hepatic damage and fibrosis. They also restored pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance, shifted cytokine balance towards the anti-inflammatory side, decreasing interleukin-1β/interleukin-10 ratio. Moreover, these compounds seem to exert anti-apoptotic effects by increasing the immunoexpression of B-cell lymphoma 2 in hepatocytes and decreasing hepatic caspase-3 content. Finally, they ameliorated extracellular matrix turn over through down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and up-regulation of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 genetic expression.

SIGNIFICANCE

Current treatments guarded against BPA-induced hepatic fibrosis due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, decreasing extracellular matrix turnover. Interestingly, the triple therapy provided hepatoprotection superior to monotherapy. Besides, prophylactic and concurrent treatments seem to be more effective than concurrent treatments.