Spatial distribution of osteoblast activating peptide in the rat stomach

Thymoquinone and Curcumin Defeat Aging-Associated Oxidative Alterations Induced by D-Galactose in Rats' Brain and Heart

D-galactose (D-gal) administration causes oxidative disorder and is widely utilized in aging animal models. Therefore, we subcutaneously injected D-gal at 200 mg/kg BW dose to assess the potential preventive effect of thymoquinone (TQ) and curcumin (Cur) against the oxidative alterations induced by D-gal. Other than the control, vehicle, and D-gal groups, the TQ and Cur treated groups were orally supplemented at 20 mg/kg BW of each alone or combined. TQ and Cur effectively suppressed the oxidative alterations induced by D-gal in brain and heart tissues. The TQ and Cur combination significantly decreased the elevated necrosis in the brain and heart by D-gal. It significantly reduced brain caspase 3, calbindin, and calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1), heart caspase 3, and BCL2. Expression of mRNA of the brain and heart TP53, p21, Bax, and CASP-3 were significantly downregulated in the TQ and Cur combination group along with upregulation of BCL2 in comparison with the D-gal group. Data suggested that the TQ and Cur combination is a promising approach in aging prevention.

Cinnamon Extract and Probiotic Supplementation Alleviate Copper-Induced Nephrotoxicity via Modulating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Broiler Chickens

The present study aimed to assess the potential protective effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cin) and probiotic against CuSO₄-induced nephrotoxicity in broiler chickens. One-day-old Cobb chicks were assigned into seven groups (15 birds/group): control group, fed basal diet; Cin group, fed the basal diet mixed with Cin (200 mg/kg); PR group, receiving PR (1 g/4 L water); Cu group, fed the basal diets mixed with CuSO₄ (300 mg/kg); Cu + Cin group; Cu + PR group; and Cu + Cin + PR group. All treatments were given daily for 6 weeks. Treatment of Cu-intoxicated chickens with Cin and/or PR reduced (p < 0.05) Cu contents in renal tissues and serum levels of urea, creatinine, and uric acid compared to the Cu group. Moreover, Cin and PR treatment decreased lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzyme activities in chickens' kidney. Additionally, significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-2) and Bax, and in cyclooxygenase (COX-II) enzyme expression, and significant elevation (p < 0.05) in mRNA expression of IL-10 and Bcl-2 were observed in kidneys of Cu + Cin, Cu + PR, and Cu + Cin + PR groups compared to Cu group. Conclusively, Cin and/or PR afford considerable renal protection against Cu-induced nephrotoxicity in chickens.

The potential ameliorative impacts of cerium oxide nanoparticles against fipronil-induced hepatic steatosis

Fipronil (FIP) is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is commonly used in agricultural and veterinary fields for controlling a wide range of insects, but it is a strong environmentally toxic substance. Exposure to FIP has been reported to increase the hepatic fat accumulation through altered lipid metabolism, which ultimately can contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. The present study aimed to examine the function of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) in protecting against hepatotoxicity and lipogenesis induced by FIP. Twenty-eight male albino rats were classified into four groups: FIP (5 mg/kg/day per os), CTR, CeNPs (35 mg/kg/day p.o.), and FIP + CeNPs (5 (FIP) + 35 (CeNPs) mg/kg/day p.o.) for 28 consecutive days. Serum lipid profiles, hepatic antioxidant parameters and pathology, and mRNA expression of adipocytokines were assessed. The results revealed that FIP increased cholesterol, height-density lipoprotein, triacylglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-c) concentrations. It also increased nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) hepatic levels and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities. Additionally, FIP up-regulated the fatty acid-binding protein (FABP), acetyl Co-A carboxylase (ACC1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α). Immunohistochemically, a strong proliferation of cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) reactions in the endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoids, and increased expression of caspase3 were observed following FIP intoxication. FIP also caused histological changes in hepatic tissue. The CeNPs counteracted the hepatotoxic effect of FIP exposure. So, this study recorded an ameliorative effect of CeNPs against FIP-induced hepatotoxicity.

Quercetin Attenuates Pancreatic and Renal D-Galactose-Induced Aging-Related Oxidative Alterations in Rats

Aging is an oxidative stress-associated process that progresses with age. Our aim is to delay or attenuate these oxidative alterations and to keep individuals healthy as they age using natural compounds supplementation. Therefore, we conducted the present study to investigate the protective potentials of quercetin against D-galactose (D-gal)-associated oxidative alterations that were induced experimentally in male Wistar rats. Forty-five rats were randomly allocated into five groups of nine rats each. The groups were a control group that was reared on a basal diet and injected subcutaneously with 120 mg D-gal dissolved in physiological saline solution (0.9% NaCl) per kg body weight daily and quercetin-treated groups that received the same basal diet and subcutaneous daily D-gal injections were supplemented orally with 25, 50, and 100 mg of quercetin per kg body weight for 42 days. Pancreatic and renal samples were subjected to histopathological, immunohistochemical, and relative mRNA expression assessments. Aging (p53, p21, IL-6, and IL-8), apoptotic (Bax, CASP-3, and caspase-3 protein), proliferative (Ki67 protein), antiapoptotic (Bcl2 and Bcl2 protein), inflammatory (NF-κB, IL-1β, and TNF-α), antioxidant (SOD1), and functional markers (GCLC and GCLM genes and insulin, glucagon, and podocin proteins) were determined to evaluate the oxidative alterations induced by D-gal and the protective role of quercetin. D-gal caused oxidative alterations of the pancreas and kidneys observed via upregulations of aging, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers and downregulated the antiapoptotic, proliferative, antioxidant, and functional markers. Quercetin potentially attenuated these aging-related oxidative alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we can conclude that quercetin supplementation is considered as a promising natural protective compound that could be used to delay the aging process and to maintain human health.

Aging-associated immunosenescence via alterations in splenic immune cell populations in rat

AIM

Immunosenescence is the decline of the host immune system due to aging, resulting in various complications. The splenic lymphoid nodule is the pivotal compartment involved in immunosenescence. In this study, we investigated the important changes in the splenic immune cell populations of aged rats (18-24 months) in comparison with young rats (3-5 months).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We, also, studied the effects of aging on the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in spleen of both groups, besides the changes of the splenic architecture. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the aging effects in T cells, B cells, macrophages, granulocytes, mast cells, proliferating cells, apoptotic cells, and cells positive for interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4).

KEY FINDINGS

The aged rats had significantly lower spleen/body weight ratios and smaller splenic nodules, indicating a decline in general immunity in them. With aging, T-SOD activities were decreased, while MDA levels were increased, exhibiting that oxidative stress increases in spleens. In addition, the aged group also had significantly fewer T and B cells, macrophages, granulocytes, IL-6 and TLR4 immuno-positive cells, and proliferating cells in the periarterial lymphatic sheaths, marginal zone, and lymphoid follicles compared with the young group. On the other hand, the number of mast cells and apoptotic cells was significantly increased with age. Therefore, we can conclude that cellular immunity and humoral immunity were crumpled with age.

The adaptogenic anti-ageing potential of resveratrol against heat stress-mediated liver injury in aged rats: Role of HSP70 and NF-kB signalling

Heat stress (HS) is a major international problem which has attracted a considerable attention due to its oxidative tissue effects and high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among elderly people. Discovering an effective antioxidant is pivotal for overcoming HS-induced injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the hepatic protective effects of orally supplemented resveratrol (RES) against HS-mediated liver injury in young and old male Wistar albino rats. Compared to control rats, RES administered orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg BW for 21 successive days efficiently ameliorated HS-induced oxidative damage by significantly increasing (P ≤ 0.05) the level of reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase, and decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde and TNF-α in hepatic tissue of both young and aged rats. However, level of NF-κB was downregulated significantly in aged rats rather than young rats. Moreover, RES significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) the serum levels of aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in both ages of rats compared to their corresponding HS-stressed rats. Furthermore, RES upregulated the immunohistochemical expression of caspase 3 and heat shock protein 70 in young and aged rats, however it was more pronounced in young one. In addition, RES administration moderately normalized (P ≤ 0.0001) the harmful effects of HS on the hepatic architecture of both young and aged rats. In conclusion, this study reveals for the first time that RES exerts promising hepato-ameliorative effects against HS-induced oxidative stress in the young and aged rats via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effect, as well as via its inhibitory effect against the NF-κB signalling in a cellular system.

Immunohistochemical localization of osteoblast activating peptide in the mouse kidney

Osteoblast activating peptide (OBAP) is a newly discovered peptide detected in the rat stomach, which has a major role in osteogenesis. Recently, we revealed its localization in the parietal cells of the rat stomach. There have been no data regarding OBAP expression in the kidney, despite its role in calcium reabsorption in renal tubules. The current study aimed to inspect the expression of OBAP in the kidney of twelve 10-week-old male C3H/HeNJc1 mice using immunohistochemistry, and immunoelectron microscopic localization. The immunohistochemical investigation revealed an OBAP positive reaction mainly in the medulla, which was stronger than the cortex of the kidney and was concentrated in the distal convoluted tubules (DCT), connecting tubules (CT), and the thick limbs of the loop of Henle (HL). Moreover, we clarified that the OBAP was co-distributed with ghrelin and calbindin (markers of the DCT). Interestingly, immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that OBAP was concentrated in the mitochondrial inner membrane of the DCT and CT. Based on these results, it was concluded that the mitochondria of the DCT, CT, and HL of the mice kidney generate OBAP. Furthermore, our results suggest that OBAP might have a role in the regulation of calcium reabsorption by the renal tubule; however, further investigations are required to clarify this potential role.

Characterization by Lectin Histochemistry of Two Subpopulations of Parietal Cells in the Rat Gastric Glands

Parietal cells undergo a differentiation process while they move from the isthmus toward the pits and the base region of the gastric gland. The aim of this work was to analyze the rat gastric glands by lectin histochemistry to show the glycans expressed by upper (young) and lower (old) parietal cells. We used lectins recognizing the most frequent sugar moieties in mammals. Each lectin was assayed alone and in combination with several deglycosylation pretreatments: (1) β-elimination, which removes O-linked oligosaccharides; (2) incubation with Peptide-N-glycosidase F, to remove N-linked glycans; (3) acid hydrolysis, which removes terminal sialic acid moieties; (4) methylation-saponification, to remove sulfate groups from sugar residues; and (5) glucose oxidase, a technique carried out with the lectin concanavalin A to convert glucose into gluconic acid. The lectins from Helix pomatia, Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Glycine max (soybean), Maclura pomifera, Arachis hypogaea (peanut), Bandeiraea simplicifolia (lectin I-B₄), and Datura stramonium showed a different glycan expression in the parietal cells throughout the gastric gland. This difference supports that parietal cells undergo a maturation/degeneration process while the cells descend along the gland. The role of DBA as a marker of parietal cells previously reported should be taken with caution because these cells showed different reactivity for the lectin, ranging from negative to strong labeling.