Electrochemical Assessment of Possible Melatonin Effect On Nitric Oxide Production From Kidneys Of Sub-Acute Lead Treated Rats

Recent Advances in Phthalocyanine and Porphyrin-Based Materials as Active Layers for Nitric Oxide Chemical Sensors

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive toxic gas that forms as an intermediate compound during the oxidation of ammonia and is used for the manufacture of hydroxylamine in the chemical industry. Moreover, NO is a signaling molecule in many physiological and pathological processes in mammals, as well as a biomarker indicating the course of inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. For this reason, the detection of NO both in the gas phase and in the aqueous media is an important task. This review analyzes the state of research over the past ten years in the field of applications of phthalocyanines, porphyrins and their hybrid materials as active layers of chemical sensors for the detection of NO, with a primary focus on chemiresistive and electrochemical ones. The first part of the review is devoted to the study of phthalocyanines and porphyrins, as well as their hybrids for the NO detection in aqueous solutions and biological media. The second part presents an analysis of works describing the latest achievements in the field of studied materials as active layers of sensors for the determination of gaseous NO. It is expected that this review will further increase the interest of researchers who are engaged in the current level of evaluation and selection of modern materials for use in the chemical sensing of nitric oxide.

The interrelationship between gasotransmitters and lead-induced renal toxicity in rats

This study explored the role of gasotransmitters in lead-induced nephrotoxicity. Long-term exposure of rats to lead resulted in its accumulation in kidney. The accumulated metal impaired kidney function and structure. Lead intoxication resulted in oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in kidney. In addition, it resulted in nitric oxide (NO) overproduction and decrease in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) level and heme oxygenase (HO-1) concentration in kidney. Inhibition of NO overproduction by L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and increasing of H2S level by sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and CO level by carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-A₁ (CORM-A₁) inhibited lead-induced impairment of kidney function and structure. These agents inhibited lead-intoxication induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, nitrosative stress and reduction of H2S level and HO-1 concentration. Also, concomitant treatment with these agents inhibited lead intoxication-induced increase in protein expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and caspase-3 as well as decrease in protein expressions of HO-1 and cystathionine- γ-lyase (CSE) in kidney. The NO donor, L-arginine and the H₂S and CO biosynthesis inhibitors, trifluoro-DL-alanine and zinc deutroporphyrin, respectively produced opposite effects and aggravated the toxic effects of lead. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that gasotransmitters play an important role in lead-induced nephrotoxicity.

The multiple functions of melatonin in regenerative medicine

Melatonin research has been experiencing hyper growth in the last two decades; this relates to its numerous physiological functions including anti-inflammation, oncostasis, circadian and endocrine rhythm regulation, and its potent antioxidant activity. Recently, a large number of studies have focused on the role of melatonin in the regeneration of cells or tissues after their partial loss. In this review, we discuss the recent findings on the molecular involvement of melatonin in the regeneration of various tissues including the nervous system, liver, bone, kidney, bladder, skin, and muscle, among others.

Melatonin synergistically enhances protective effect of atorvastatin against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat kidney

The risk of serious side-effects such as nephrotoxicity is the principal limitation of gentamicin (GEN) therapeutic efficacy. Oxidative stress is considered to be an important mediator of GEN-induced nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of melatonin (MT) plus atorvastatin (ATO) against GEN-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. We utilized 30 male Wistar albino rats allocated in 5 groups, each containing 6 rats: control, GEN (100 mg/kg/day), ATO (10 mg/kg/day) + GEN, MT (20 mg/kg/day) + GEN, and ATO (10 mg/kg/day) plus MT (20 mg/kg/day) + GEN. Kidney weight, serum creatinine and urea concentration, renal ROS, MDA, GSH levels, SOD, and CAT activity were determined. GEN-induced nephrotoxicity was evidenced by marked elevations in serum urea and creatinine, kidney weight, renal ROS, and MDA levels and reduction in renal GSH level, SOD and CAT activity. MT pretreatment significantly lowered the elevated serum creatinine concentration, kidney weight, renal ROS and MDA levels. However ATO could not reduce these parameters, but similarly to MT, it was able to enhance the renal GSH level, CAT and SOD activity. In addition, a combination therapy of MT plus ATO enhanced the beneficial effects of ATO, while not changing the effects of MT effects or even improving them. The present study indicates that a combination therapy of MT plus ATO can attenuate renal injury in rats treated with GEN, possibly by reducing oxidative stress, and it seems that MT can enhance the beneficial effects of ATO.

Comparison of the Protective Effects of Melatonin and Silymarin Against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

This study compared the possible protective effects of silymarin and melatonin against gentamicin (GEN)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were allocated to 6 groups: Group I, control group; Groups II and III, administered with silymarin or melatonin; Group IV, injected with GEN; and Groups V and VI, administered with silymarin or melatonin, and then injected with GEN. Compared with the rats in the control group, all rats injected with GEN significantly presented elevated levels of serum creatinine and urea that was accompanied by an increase in relative kidney weight, increase in renal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and reduction in renal glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Silymarin and melatonin pretreatment significantly lowered the elevated serum urea and creatinine concentration, kidney weight, and renal ROS and MDA levels. In addition, silymarin and melatonin significantly enhanced renal GSH level and SOD activity. This study indicates that silymarin and melatonin can attenuate renal injury in rats treated with GEN possibly by reducing the ROS level.