Mitigation of Acute Aluminum Toxicity by Sodium Selenite and N-Acetylcysteine in Adult Male Rats

A review of the epidemiological and laboratory evidence of the role of aluminum exposure in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases

The objective of the present study was to review the epidemiological and laboratory evidence on the role of aluminum (Al) exposure in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiological data demonstrated an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including hypertension and atherosclerosis in occupationally exposed subjects and hemodialysis patients. In addition, Al body burden was found to be elevated in patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Laboratory studies demonstrated that Al exposure induced significant ultrastructural damage in the heart, resulting in electrocardiogram alterations in association with cardiomyocyte necrosis and apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In agreement with the epidemiological findings, laboratory data demonstrated dyslipidemia upon Al exposure, resulting from impaired hepatic lipid catabolism, as well as promotion of low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Al was also shown to inhibit paraoxonase 1 activity and to induce endothelial dysfunction and adhesion molecule expression, further promoting atherogenesis. The role of Al in hypertension was shown to be mediated by up-regulation of NADPH-oxidase, inhibition of nitric oxide bioavailability, and stimulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. It has been also demonstrated that Al exposure targets cerebral vasculature, which may be considered a link between Al exposure and cerebrovascular diseases. Findings from other tissues lend support that ferroptosis, pyroptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and modulation of gut microbiome and metabolome are involved in the development of CVD upon Al exposure. A better understanding of the role of the cardiovascular system as a target for Al toxicity will be useful for risk assessment and the development of treatment and prevention strategies.

Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine Against Aluminum-Induced Kidney Tissue Damage in Rats

Aluminum (AL) is an important nephrotoxic agent with a high daily exposure rate and property of accumulation in tissues. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against AL exposure-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as control, N-acetylcysteine group (NC), AL, and AL + NC, with an equal number of rats in each group (n = 7). No application was made to the control group. A total of 150 mg/kg/day NAC was administered to the NC group and 30 mg/kg/day AL was administered to the AL group intraperitoneally (i.p.). The AL + NC group received 30 mg/kg/day AL and 150 mg/kg/day NAC i.p. Biochemical parameters in blood serum and histopathological changes in kidney tissue, oxidative stress parameters, spexin (SPX), and apoptotic protein levels were examined after 15 days. Histopathological changes, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress parameters, and apoptotic protein levels were significantly irregular in the AL group compared to the control group. Moreover, SPX levels increased in the AL group. However, NAC treatment regulated AL exposure-related changes in the AL + NC group. NAC treatment may have a prophylactic effect against nephrotoxicity due to AL exposure. SPX may play a role in AL-induced nephrotoxicity.

Protective Effect of Sodium Selenite on 4-Nonylphenol-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Rats

This study was aimed at evaluating the protective effect of sodium selenite (SS) on DNA integrity, antioxidant/oxidant status, and histological changes on 4-nonylphenol (4-NP)-induced toxicity in liver and kidney tissues of rats. Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups as control, SS, 4-NP, and SS+4-NP group. Control group was untreated. The SS group was supplemented with SS (0.5 mg/kg/day) and the 4-NP group was given 4-NP (125 mg/kg/day). The rats in the SS+4-NP group received SS followed by 4-NP 1 h later at the abovementioned doses. The treatments were administered by oral gavage for 48 days. DNA damage was analyzed by comet assay in lymphocytes. Oxidative stress parameters were measured, and histological evaluation was performed in liver and kidney tissues. Results showed that SS administration significantly decreased % Tail DNA and Mean Tail Moment in SS+4-NP group as compared with 4-NP group. Catalase activity in liver was significantly lower in 4-NP group only. SS treatment significantly increased the glutathione level and decreased high malondialdehyde level in tissues of the SS+4-NP group as compared with 4-NP group. Dilation of central vein, ballooning degeneration, vacuolar degeneration, and deterioration in the structure of remark cords in 4-NP-administered were alleviated in rats that received SS supplementation before administration of 4-NP. Moreover, glycogen intensity in hepatocytes and the wall of central vein increased in the SS+4-NP group. In addition, the SS supplementation in the SS+4-NP group decreased glomerular degeneration as well as the width of cavum glomeruli and congestion intensity in the kidney. These results indicate that SS may have a protective effect against 4-NP-induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rats.

Traditional Tibetan medicine Anzhijinhua San attenuates ovalbumin-induced diarrhea by regulating the serotonin signaling system in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tibetan medicine has been practiced for 3800 years. Anzhijinhua San (AZJHS), which is a traditional Tibetan medicine, has been effective in the treatment of indigestion, anorexia and cold diarrhea. However, the effects of AZJHS on allergic diarrhea have not been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of AZJHS on experimental ovalbumin-induced diarrhea and elucidate its possible mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection with 50 μg ovalbumin (OVA) and 1 mg alum in saline twice during a 2-week period. From day 28, mice were orally challenged with OVA (50 mg) every other day for a total of ten times. AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) was orally administered every other day from day 0-46. Food allergy symptoms were evaluated. OVA- specific IgE, 5-HT and its metabolites in serum were determined. Immunohistochemical and histopathology were performed in gastrointestinal tract tissues. 5-HT-related gene expression was assayed in the colon.

RESULTS

Severe symptoms of allergic diarrhea were observed in the model group (diarrhea, anaphylactic response, and rectal temperature). AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly reduced mouse diarrhea and significantly prevented the increases in OVA-specific IgE levels (P < 0.05), which challenge with OVA. AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly prevented the increases in 5-HT-positive cells. The nuclei of EC cells in the AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) group increased in size and the secretory granules were fewer in number compared with those in the model group. AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly increased the relative fold changes of 5-HTP and 5-HT compared with the model group. The mRNA expression of the serotonin transporter (Sert) and serotonin receptor 3A (Htr3a) was significantly decreased after the 10th challenge with OVA, and AZJHS (46.8 and 468.0 mg/kg) significantly increased these levels.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that the administration of AZJHS attenuated OVA-induced diarrhea by regulating the serotonin pathway. These results indicated that AZJHS may be a potential candidate as an anti-allergic diarrhea agent.