Potential Effect of 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Vitamin D Ameliorates the Hepatic Oxidative Damage and Fibrotic Effect Caused by Thioacetamide in Rats

Vitamin D₃ (VD₃) is a sunshine hormone that regulates cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis related to liver parenchyma. We used a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis rat model in our study to investigate the beneficial roles of VD₃ to overcome extensive liver fibrosis. Randomly, four equal groups (eight rats per group) underwent therapy for eight successive weeks: a control group, a group treated with TAA 100 mg/kg BW IP every other day, a group treated with VD₃ 1000 IU/kg BW IM every day, and a TAA+VD group treated with both therapies. Treatment with VD₃ after TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis was found to alleviate elevated liver function measures by decreasing ALT, AST, and ALP activity; decreasing total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; and increasing glucose and 25[OH]D₃. Rats treated with VD₃ showed marked decreases in MDA and increased SOD, CAT, and GSH levels. In addition, CD34 and FGF23 gene expressions were reduced after dual therapy. Liver sections from the TAA+VD group showed markedly decreased hepatic lesions, and Masson's trichrome stain showed a marked decrease in dense bluish-stained fibrous tissue. The immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β and α-SMA showed markedly decreased positive brown cytoplasmic expression in a few hepatocytes, clarifying the antifibrotic effect of VD₃ in hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, VD₃ alleviates hepatotoxicity and fibrosis caused by TAA.

Astrocytes profiling in acute hepatic encephalopathy: Possible enrolling of glial fibrillary acidic protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir 4.1) and aquaporin-4 in rat cerebral cortex

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurological disarray manifested as a sequel to chronic and acute liver failure (ALF). A potentially fatal consequence of ALF is brain edema with concomitant astrocyte enlargement. This study aims to outline the role of astrocytes in acute HE and shed light on the most critical mechanisms driving this role. Rats were allocated into two groups. Group 1, the control group, received the vehicle. Group 2, the TAA group, received TAA (300 mg/kg) for 3 days. Serum AST, ALT, and ammonia were determined. Liver and cerebral cortical sections were processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining. Additionally, mRNA expression and immunohistochemical staining of cortical GFAP, TNFα, Kir4.1, and AQP4 were performed. Cortical sections from the TAA group demonstrated neuropil vacuolation and astrocytes enlargement with focal gliosis. GFAP, TNFα, and AQP4 revealed increased mRNA expression, positive immunoreactivity, and a positive correlation to brain water content. In contrast, Kir 4.1 showed decreased mRNA expression and immunoreactivity and a negative correlation to brain water content. In conclusion, our findings revealed altered levels of TNFα, Kir 4.1, GFAP, and AQP4 in HE-associated brain edema. A more significant dysregulation of Kir 4.1 and TNFα was observed compared to AQP4 and GFAP.

Phytochemical constituents and protective efficacy of Schefflera arboricola L. leaves extract against thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats

Context: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from liver failure. Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of Schefflera arboricola L. leaves methanol extract against thioacetamide (TAA) induced HE in rats. Materials and methods: GC/MS, LC-ESI-MS and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The methanol extract was orally administrated (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 21 days. TAA (200 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally on day 19 and continued for three days. The evaluation was done by measuring alanine aminotransferases (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ammonia, reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) alpha tumor necrotic factor (TNFα), toll like receptor (TLR4), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interlukin 6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase 2(COX2), B cell lymphoma (BCL2), alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163). The histological features of liver and brain were conducted. Results: Forty five compounds were identified from the n-hexane fraction, while twenty nine phenolic compounds were determined from the methanol extract. Pretreatment with the plant extract returned most of the measurements under investigation to nearly normal. Conclusion: Due to its richness with bioactive compounds, Schefflera arboricola L. leaves extract succeeded to exert anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties in TAA-induced HE in rats with more efficacy to its high protective dose.

Histopathological role of vitamin D deficiency in recurrent/chronic tonsillitis pathogenesis: Vascular epithelial growth factor-mediated angiogenesis in tonsil

Objectives

Our aim in this study is to reveal the role of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of recurrent/chronic tonsillitis and to determine the expression of vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF).

Material and Methods

This study was conducted between September and February. Thirty‐two patients between the ages of 3 and 35 (mean age 9.71) with recurrent episodes of chronic tonsillitis were selected. Patients were divided into four groups according to their 25OHD levels. Patients with 25OHD levels 0–10 ng/ml were determined as Group 1, 11–20 ng/ml Group 2, 21–30 ng/ml Group 3, and 31–50 ng/ml control Group 4. Routine histological tissue sampling was performed for histopathological evaluation of the tonsillar tissues under light microscope (LM). Five micron sections were taken from the paraffin blocks and stained with Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) and Trichrome Masson (TCM). VEGF expression was examined immunohistochemically for each group.

Results

Our analysis showed VEGF expression in all study groups (32 tonsillar tissues). Group 1 and Group 2 histopathological scores were significantly higher than the other groups (p < .001). There were significant differences in VEGF expressions between the four groups (p < .001). 25OHD levels of the patients in Groups 1 and 2 with strong VEGF expression were significantly lower than the other groups (p < .001).

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study showed an increased angiogenesis in tonsil and an increase in VEGF expression of the tonsillar surface epithelium when blood serum 25OHD levels <20 ng/ml.

Sodium Pentaborate Pentahydrate ameliorates lipid accumulation and pathological damage caused by high fat diet induced obesity in BALB/c mice

BACKGROUND

Obesity is one of the most popular topic in the field of research. In order to defeat this highly widespread disease, the mechanism of fat accumulation at the molecular level and its elimination are crucial. The use of boron has been showing promising results during the recent years.

METHODS

In this study, anti-obesity potential of Sodium Pentaborate Pentahydrate (SPP) used as a dietary supplement on BALB/c mice fed with a high-fat diet was evaluated. Mice were divided into four groups with different diets, consisting of a normal diet, a high-fat diet (HFD) (containing 60 % fat), a HFD-supplemented with 0.5 mg/g body weight (BW) of SPP and a HFD-supplemented with 1.5 mg/g body weight (BW) of SPP. The animals were then observed for 10 weeks and physically monitored, and were sacrificed at the end of the experiment for physical and physicochemical evaluation.

RESULTS

According to the physical parameters measured -body weight, food and water intake ratios-, the results indicate that SPP decreased weight gain in a dose dependent manner. Measurement of the hormone levels in the blood and fat accumulation in organs of mice also supported the anti-obesity effects of SPP. Expressions of adipogenesis related genes were also negatively regulated by SPP administration in white adipose tissue (WAT) tissue.

CONCLUSION

These findings promise a treatment approach and drug development that can be used against obesity when SPP is used in the right doses. As a future aspect, clinical studies with SPP will reveal the effect of boron derivatives on obesity.

The Oral Delivery of Water-Soluble Phenol TS-13 Ameliorates Granuloma Formation in an In Vivo Model of Tuberculous Granulomatous Inflammation

The redox-sensitive signaling system Keap1/Nrf2/ARE is a premier protective mechanism against oxidative stress that plays a key role in the pathogenesis and development of various diseases, including tuberculous granulomatous inflammation. We have previously reported that novel water-soluble phenolic antioxidant TS-13 (sodium 3-(4'-methoxyphenyl)propyl thiosulfonate) induces Keap1/Nrf2/ARE and attenuates inflammation. The aim of this study is the examination of the effect of TS-13 on tuberculous granulomatous inflammation. BALB/c mice were administered TS-13 (100 mg kg^-1 day^-1) through their drinking water starting immediately after Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intravenous injection. Histological changes, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (activity of free-radical oxidation processes), and mRNA expression of Nrf2-driven, NF-κB-, AP-1-, and autophagy-dependent signal pathway genes in the liver and peritoneal exudate were evaluated 30 days later. After the 30th day of infection, the activity of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE system was decreased and its effector genes entailed increasing ROS production in the liver. Therapeutic intervention with TS-13 is aimed at activating the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE system that leads to an increase in Nrf2 and Nrf2-mediated gene expression and a decrease in NF-κB expression. Changes in these pathways resulted in a decline of ROS production and a decrease in the number and the size of granulomas. In total, the results indicate that the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE system can be an effective pharmacological target in host-adjunctive treatment of tuberculosis.

Drug-induced-acute liver failure: A critical appraisal of the thioacetamide model for the study of hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) following acute and chronic liver failure is defined as a complex of neuropsychiatric abnormalities, such as discrete personal changes, sleep disorder, forgetfulness, confusion, and decreasing the level of consciousness to coma. The use and design of suitable animal models that represent clinical features and pathological changes of HE are valuable to map the molecular mechanisms that result in HE. Among different types of animal models, thioacetamide (TAA) has been used extensively for the induction of acute liver injury and HE. This agent is not directly hepatotoxic but its metabolites induce liver injury through the induction of oxidative stress and produce systemic inflammation similar to that seen in acute HE patients. In this short review article, we shortly review the most important pathological findings in animal models of acute HE following the administration of TAA.

The protective effect of Morin against ifosfamide-induced acute liver injury in rats associated with the inhibition of DNA damage and apoptosis

Morin is a flavonoid and broadly found in white berry and cranberry branch. Ifosfamide (IFOS) is known as an anticancer and cytotoxic drug especially on the liver. This study aimed to explore the potential protective effects of Morin against IFOS-induced liver toxicity in rats. The model group of rats received a single injection of IFOS (500 mg/kg; i.p.) at day 2, whereas the protective groups of rats were given two different doses of Morin (100 and 200 mg/kg; given by gavage) at days 1 and 2. All animals were then culled 24 h post-IFOS injection. We observed that IFOS caused liver injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and apoptosis. However, Morin decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.05). While Morin contributed to the recovery of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH) levels, Morin decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) induced by IFOS in the liver (p < 0.05). Besides, the levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and P53 measured by ELISA test were reduced via Morin administration (p < 0.05). Lastly, the mRNA transcript levels of Bax, Apaf-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) determined by RT-PCR were down-regulated in the Morin groups (p < 0.05). These results indicate that Morin plays a protective role by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the IFOS-induced liver injury in rats.

Correction with thiocetam of lead nanoparticles influence on morpho-functional status of rat liver

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of Thiocetam on morphological changes in the liver of rats and on biochemical changes in their blood after exposure to lead nanoparticles and compounds. The liver is an organ that performs a number of functions, such as the synthesis of enzymes, hormones, plasma components and the neutralization of toxins. It is involved in many metabolic processes in the body.

In undertaking this, colloidal solutions of lead sulphide nanoparticles at dosages 10 nm and 30 nm were injected into two groups of rats, PbSnano1 and PbSnano2, respectively, while group Pb(NO3) received subcutaneously a solution of lead nitrate in ion form in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg (0.94 mg/kg lead, in lead equivalent). After 60 administrations (12 weeks) of the studied substances, the exposure was discontinued and the animals were observed for 18 weeks. Subsequently, half of each group received Thiocetam by injection (for 6 weeks at a dose of 250 mg/kg) while the other half did not. We then assessed the mean body weight, absolute and relative liver weight, blood biochemistry values (total protein, albumin, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides levels in blood serum) and morphological changes in hepatocytes (morphological slides, nuclei cross-sectional area and cytoplasm cross-sectional area).

The outcome of this work showed that the mean body weight of animals exposed to nanoparticles with Tiocetam did not differ from that of animals exposed to nanoparticles without pharmacological correction, but relative liver weight was statistically significantly higher than the corresponding values in rats without pharmacological correction. The morphological picture in all study group animals was characterized by the normalization of microvessel blood filling, structure of hepatic plates, disappearance of infiltration with lymphocytes and histiocytes. No dystrophic changes in hepatocytes were found. All this indicates the feasibility of preventive measures during exposure to lead nanoparticles, by administering Thiocetam.

In both series of animals exposed to lead nanoparticles (PbSnano1 and PbSnano2), the cross-sectional area of the hepatocytes cytoplasm and the cross-sectional area of the hepatocytes nuclei were smaller than just after exposure, but in the series with Thiocetam adminstration, all the values did not differ from those in the control.