The influence of lipoic acid on adriamycin induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Effects of Exercise Preconditioning on Doxorubicin-Induced Liver and Kidney Toxicity in Male and Female Rats

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective chemotherapy agent prescribed for cancer treatment. However, the clinical use of DOX is limited due to off-target toxicity in healthy tissues. In this regard, hepatic and renal metabolic clearance results in DOX accumulation within these organ systems. Within the liver and kidneys, DOX causes inflammation and oxidative stress, which promotes cytotoxic cellular signaling. While there is currently no standard of care to treat DOX hepatic- and nephrotoxicity, endurance exercise preconditioning may be an effective intervention to prevent elevations in liver alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and to improve kidney creatinine clearance. To determine whether exercise preconditioning is sufficient to reduce liver and kidney toxicity resulting from acute exposure to DOX chemotherapy treatment, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats remained sedentary or were exercise trained prior to saline or DOX exposure. Our findings demonstrate that DOX treatment elevated AST and AST/ALT in male rats, with no effects of exercise preconditioning to prevent these increases. We also showed increased plasma markers of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation and urine markers of proteinuria and proximal tubule damage, with male rats revealing greater differences compared to females. Exercise preconditioning showed improved urine creatinine clearance and reduced cystatin c in males, while females had reduced plasma angiotensin II (AngII) levels. Our results demonstrate both tissue- and sex-specific responses related to the effects of exercise preconditioning and DOX treatment on markers of liver and kidney toxicity.

Nephroprotective mechanisms of Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik.) leaf extracts in adriamycin mediated acute kidney injury model of Wistar rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik., Family: Malvaceae) is a common Ayurvedic herbal medicine used in the treatment of kidney-related diseases, in the forms of tea, medicated oil, medicated wine, etc., however, its nephroprotective mechanisms remain unexploited.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the mechanisms by which the hexane (A-HE), ethyl acetate (A-EE), butanol (A-BE), and aqueous (A-WE) leaf extracts of Ambrette protect against the adriamycin-mediated acute kidney injury in Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A-HE, A-EE, A-BE, A-WE, and fosinopril sodium were administered at therapeutically effective doses (55, 75, 60, 140, 0.09 mg/kg) to adriamycin-induced (5 mg/kg, ip) Wistar rats for 28 consecutive days.

RESULTS

Oral administration of the selected extracts of A. moschatus resulted in amelioration of kidney injury as observed by the significant changes of biomarkers of kidney function in serum and in urine, biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, and inflammation in kidney homogenates (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the administration of plant extracts caused a significant reduction in total kidney injury scores in H and E stained kidney sections (p < 0.05). The immunohistochemical expression of the inflammatory marker, COX-2, and the pro-apoptotic marker, Bax, were attenuated and the expression of the anti-apoptotic marker, BCL-2, was increased. A-HE exerted superior nephroprotective effects over the other three extracts and the drug reference standard.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings revealed that Ambrette exerts promising protective effects against adriamycin-mediated acute kidney injury through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis pathways. A-HE might serve as a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic drug leads that will be beneficial in the treatment of acute kidney injury.

Moderation of doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats by aqueous leaf-extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Tridax procumbens

BACKGROUND

The major draw-back of doxorubicin's use in chemotherapy is its toxicity on various organs including the kidneys. This study investigated the potential protective role of aqueous leaf-extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Tridax procumbens against nephrotoxicity induced by doxorubicin.

METHODS

To this end, their impact on plasma biomarkers of kidney function, as well as renal lipid profile, biomarkers of oxidative stress, electrolyte profile and activities of renal ATPases was monitored in doxorubicin treated rats. Metformin (250 mg/kg body weight, orally) and the extracts (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg, orally) were daily administered for 14 days; while nephrotoxicity was induced with doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, intra-peritioneally), once on the 12th day of study.

RESULTS

The plasma concentrations of creatinine, and urea; as well as the renal malondialdehyde, cholesterol, calcium and sodium concentrations in the Test control, were significantly (P < .05) higher than those of all the other groups. However, the renal concentrations of ascorbic acid, chloride, magnesium and potassium, and the renal activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase superoxide dismutase, Ca2+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Na+,K+-ATPase in the Test control were significantly (P < .05) lower than those of all the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-treatment with the extracts and metformin boosted endogenous antioxidants, and prevented doxorubicin-induced renal damage, as indicated by the attenuation of doxorubicin-induced renal oxidative stress, as well as the attenuation of doxorubicin-induced adverse alterations in renal cholesterol, ATPases and electrolyte balance, and plasma biomarkers of kidney function, and keeping them at near-normal values.

Protective effects of three selected standardized medicinal plant extracts used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine in adriamycin induced nephrotoxic Wistar rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Abelmoschus moschatus Medik. (family: Malvaceae), Asparagus falcatus (family: Asparagaceae) and Barleria prionitis Linn. (family: Acanthaceae) have been used in the treatment of kidney diseases in Sri Lankan traditional medicine. Besides the traditional use, scientific scrutinization of safe therapeutic use of these medicinal plants in the management of kidney diseases has not been reported to date.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The three selected doses of the aqueous extracts of the selected medicinal plants were studied for their protective effects against adriamycin (ADR) induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemically standardized plant materials were used in the study. The nephroprotective activity of the lyophilized powder of the aqueous refluxed (4hr) leaf extracts of A. moschatus, A. falcatus and the whole plant extract of B. prionitis was investigated in adriamycin (20 mg/kg, ip) induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats (n = 6/group). The treatment regimens were initiated 24 h after the induction of nephrotoxicity and continued daily as a single dose for three consecutive days at three selected doses (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg). Fosinopril sodium (0.09 mg/kg) was used as the standard drug. Nephroprotective activity was assessed by estimating the selected biochemical parameters and by the assessment of histopathology on H and E stained sections of the kidney.

RESULTS

The plant extracts at the three selected doses significantly attenuated the elevations in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and the loss of urine total protein in a dose related manner in ADR induced nephrotoxic rats (p < 0.001). The serum concentration of albumin and total protein increased significantly (p < 0.001). Histopathological findings corroborated the biochemical evidence of nephroprotective activity. The aqueous extracts of the three selected medicinal plants exerted a relatively high antioxidant activity in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of the protective effects based on biochemical parameters and histopathology assessment revealed that the aqueous leaf extracts of A. moschatus, A. falcatus and the whole plant extract of B. prionitis possess significant nephroprotective activity against ADR induced acute nephrotoxicity. The secondary metabolites present in the plant extracts may attribute to the total antioxidant activities of the selected medicinal plant extracts thereby exerting protective effects against nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.

A novel molecular scaffold resensitizes multidrug-resistant S. aureus to fluoroquinolones

Nosocomial infections arising from opportunistic pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, are growing unabated, compounded by the rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Herein, we demonstrate a new molecular design that exhibits excellent activity against multidrug-resistant S. aureus with no cytotoxicity and resensitizes fluoroquinolones (FQ) towards FQ-resistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains, with DNA gyrase B as the likely molecular target as determined by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Antioxidant Supplementation in Renal Replacement Therapy Patients: Is There Evidence?

The disruption of balance between production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant systems in favor of the oxidants is termed oxidative stress (OS). To counteract the damaging effects of prooxidant free radicals, all aerobic organisms have antioxidant defense mechanisms that are aimed at neutralizing the circulating oxidants and repair the resulting injuries. Antioxidants are either endogenous (the natural defense mechanisms produced by the human body) or exogenous, found in supplements and foods. OS is present at the early stages of chronic kidney disease, augments progressively with renal function deterioration, and is further exacerbated by renal replacement therapy. End-stage renal disease patients, on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD), suffer from accelerated OS, which has been associated with increased risk for mortality and cardiovascular disease. During HD sessions, the bioincompatibility of dialyzers and dialysate trigger activation of white blood cells and formation of free radicals, while a significant loss of antioxidants is also present. In PD, the bioincompatibility of solutions, including high osmolality, elevated lactate levels, low pH, and accumulation of advanced glycation end-products trigger formation of prooxidants, while there is significant loss of vitamins in the ultrafiltrate. A number of exogenous antioxidants have been suggested to ameliorate OS in dialysis patients. Vitamins B, C, D, and E, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, a-lipoic acid, curcumin, green tea, flavonoids, polyphenols, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, statins, trace elements, and N-acetylcysteine have been studied as exogenous antioxidant supplements in both PD and HD patients.

Role of alpha-lipoic acid in ameliorating Cyclosporine A-induced pancreatic injury in albino rats: A structural, ultrastructural, and morphometric study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) against cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced pancreatic toxicity in rats. Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group I treated orally (per os, p.o.) with vehicles and served as control; Group II received α-LA (100 mg/kg b.w. /day, p.o.) for 21 days; Group III received CsA (25 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.) for 21 days; and Group IV received α-LA 1 hr before oral treatment by CsA for 21 days. Histological examination of the pancreas of CsA-treated rats showed marked changes represented by wide interlobular septae that contained congested blood vessels, cytoplasmic vacuolation of some acinar cells, and distortion of the other cells. Most of the islets of Langerhans showed vacuolation, degenerative changes, and loss of uniform cellular distribution. Some of the islets appeared shrunken with few cells. In the CsA group, the immunohistochemical and morphometric study demonstrated a decrease in the number of insulin-secreting β-cells and also a reduction in islet diameters, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004), respectively, compared with the control group. Ultrastructure of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cells of the CsA-treated group confirmed the light microscopic observation and showed dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, decreased zymogen and secretory granules, damaged mitochondria, and abnormal nuclei. However, α-LA administration simultaneously with CsA resulted in some sort of regression of the previously mentioned effects.

CONCLUSION

α-LA attenuated CsA-induced structural and ultrastructural changes in pancreatic cells, which were nearly reverted to their normal structure.

Alleviation of doxorubicin–induced hepatorenal toxicities with sesamin via the suppression of oxidative stress

Hepatorenal toxicities are an important side effect of anthracycline antibiotics. The objective of this study was to determine whether sesamin (Ses) protects against acute doxorubicin (DOX)-induced hepatorenal toxicities. Rats received daily treatment with either 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (10 mL/kg) or Ses (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) orally for 10 days, followed by an intravenous injection at day 8 of either saline (10 mL/kg) or DOX (20 mg/kg). Hepatorenal toxicity was assessed by measuring the levels of serum creatinine (Cre), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The protein expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in hepatorenal tissues was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and antioxidant activity in the kidney and liver tissues were also measured. The results suggest that pretreatment with Ses ameliorated DOX-induced liver and kidney injury by lowering the serum ALT, AST, ALP, Cre and BUN levels ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), and the histological damage to the liver and kidney tissues induced by DOX compared to control were also significantly attenuated by Ses. Furthermore, Ses significantly decreased the DOX-induced increase of MDA and 4-HNE and increased the activity of CAT, SOD and GPX compared to the DOX-treated rats ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), whereas the change of DOX + Ses (10 mg/kg) group is not significant compared to the DOX-treated group ( p > 0.05). These findings indicate that Ses elicits a typical protective effect against DOX-induced acute hepatorenal toxicity via the suppression of oxidative stress.

Protective effects of alpha lipoic acid versus N-acetylcysteine on ifosfamide-induced nephrotoxicity

Ifosfamide (IFO) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent for treating a variety of pediatric solid tumors. However, its use is limited due to its serious side effect on kidneys. The side-chain oxidation of IFO in renal tubular cells produces a reactive toxic metabolite that is believed to be responsible for its nephrotoxic effect. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the possible underlying mechanisms that may be involved in IFO-induced nephrotoxicity, including free radical generation and the possible role of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) versus N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in protection against this toxicity. Male albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline, IFO (50 mg/kg daily for 5 days), IFO + ALA (100 mg/kg daily for 8 days) and IFO + NAC (200 mg/kg daily for 8 days). Kidney malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and glutathione contents and serum biochemical parameters and histopathological analysis were determined. Both ALA and NAC markedly reduced the severity of renal dysfunction induced by IFO. NAC was more nephroprotective than ALA. This study suggests that oxidative stress is possibly involved in the IFO-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The study also suggests the potential therapeutic role for ALA and NAC against IFO-induced nephrotoxicity.

General oxidative stress during doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats: absence of cardioprotection and low antioxidant efficiency of alpha-lipoic acid

To evaluate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (AL) in a model of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity, male Wistar rats were treated with DOX (1 mg/kg/d; 10 d) in combination or not with AL (50 mg/kg/d; 15 d). Plasma oxidative stress was determined by hydroperoxides (ROOH) and the ascorbyl radical/ascorbate ratio. One and two months later, the functional parameters of the hearts were determined in vivo by catheterization and cardiac oxidative stress was assessed by malonedialdehyde (MDA) and O₂*⁻ (dihydroethidium fluorescence) content in tissue. After two months, body weight was higher in the DOX-AL group than in DOX (+16%), but this was due to ascites. Histological liver alterations were observed in both the DOX and DOX-AL groups. Plasma ROOH concentrations decreased after 10 days of AL treatment, but were greater in both the DOX and DOX-AL groups. After two months, a decrease in the cardiac contractility index (-27% and -29%, respectively) and cardiac hypertrophy were observed in DOX and DOX-AL. These dysfunctions were associated with 1) a reduction in plasma ascorbate levels and an increase in the ascorbyl/ascorbate ratio and 2) an increase MDA and O₂*⁻ content in cardiac tissue. In conclusion, a cumulative dose of 10 mg/kg doxorubicin induced functional alterations in the heart associated with plasma and cardiac oxidative stress. The co-administration of the antioxidant compound AL had no beneficial effects in this situation.

Bcl-2 expression alters the mitochondrial tri carboxyl Acid pathway in hepatic ischemic and reperfusion induced necrosis and apoptosis in rat liver

Ischemic and reperfusion injury leads to necrosis and apoptosis. Mitochondrial enzymes and antiapoptotic gene plays an important role in necrosis and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Bcl-2 expression in alternations in mitochondrial energy regulation during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion and role in necrosis and apoptosis. Total 12 Wistar rats were divided into sham-operated control group (I) and ischemia and reperfusion group (II). Mitochondrial tri carboxylic acid cycles marker enzymes, respiratory marker enzymes, apoptotic cells, necrotic cells and Bcl-2 expression was measured. Number of necrotic and apoptotic cells were increased in ischemic and reperfusion group with reducing tri carboxylic acid cycles marker enzymes, respiratory marker enzymes and decreasing of Bcl-2 expression. On the basis of our findings it may be concluded that suppression of Bcl-2 gene, inhibition of tri carboxylic acid cycles and respiration rate, adenosine tri phosphate production in mitochondria is a pathophysiological consequences which provides a clue for necrosis and apoptosis in hepatic ischemic and reperfusion injury.

Physiological and histopathological investigations on the effects of alpha-lipoic acid in rats exposed to malathion

The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of α-lipoic acid treatment in rats exposed to malathion. Forty adult male rats were used in this study and distributed into four groups. Animals of group 1 were untreated and served as control. Rats of group 2 were orally given malathion at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) for a period of one month. Experimental animals of group 3 were orally given α-lipoic acid at a dose level of 20 mg/kg BW and after 3 hours exposed to malathion at the same dose given to group 2. Rats of group 4 were supplemented with α-lipoic acid at the same dose given to group 3. The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP), and the values of creatinine, urea, and uric acid were statistically increased, while the values of total protein and total albumin were significantly decreased in rats exposed to malathion. Moreover, administration of malathion for one month resulted in damage of liver and kidney structures. Administration of α-lipoic acid before malathion exposure to rat can prevent severe alterations of hematobiochemical parameters and disruptions of liver and kidney structures. In conclusion, this study obviously demonstrated that pretreatment with α-lipoic acid significantly attenuated the physiological and histopathological alterations induced by malathion. Also, the present study identifies new areas of research for development of better therapeutic agents for liver, kidney, and other organs' dysfunctions and diseases.

Nephroprotection of lacidipine against gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats

AIM

Gentamycin, a widely-used aminoglycoside antibiotic, is recognized as possessing significant nephrotoxic potential in human beings. Gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity is suggested to be mediated via reactive oxygen species. The present study investigated the possible antioxidant nephroprotective effect of lacidipine as a calcium-channel blocker in a gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity model in albino rats.

METHODS

Albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 received normal saline. Group 2 received gentamycin 80 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 14 days. Group 3 received lacidipine 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally 3 days before and 14 days concurrently with gentamycin. This dose does not affect the blood pressure of rats, as evidenced in the pilot study.

RESULTS

Gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity was evidenced by a marked reduction in creatinine clearance. Treatment with lacidipine improved creatinine clearance compared to the gentamycin-treated group. In addition, it reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, as an index of lipid peroxidation, with significant increases in superoxide dismutase enzyme in erythrocyte lysates and kidney catalase enzyme activities.

CONCLUSION

This study recommends the use of lacidipine in prophylaxis against gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Therapeutic efficacy of dl-α-lipoic acid on cyclosporine A induced renal alterations

The present study was designed to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of lipoic acid in preventing the renal damage induced by cyclosporine A in rats. Male albino rats of Wistar strain were divided into four groups and treated as follows. Two groups received cyclosporine A by oral gavage (25 mg/kg/body weight) for 21 days to induce nephrotoxicity, one of which simultaneously received lipoic acid treatment (20 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days. A vehicle (olive oil) and a lipoic acid drug control were also included. Cyclosporine A induced renal damage was evident from the decreased activities of tissue marker enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) and decreased activities of ATPases (Na+, K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase). An apparent increase in the levels of serum constituents (urea, uric acid and creatinine) and urinary marker enzymes (N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase, cathepsin-D and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) along with significant decline in creatinine clearance were seen in the cyclosporine treated rats, which was reversed upon treatment with lipoic acid. Ultrastructural observations were also in agreement with the above abnormal changes. Lipoic acid effectively reverted these abnormal biochemical changes and minimized the morphological lesions in renal tissue. Hence, this study clearly exemplifies that lipoic acid might be an ideal choice against cyclosporine A induced cellular abnormalities.

Simultaneous determination of α-lipoic acid and its reduced form by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The simultaneous determination of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) and DHLA (reduced form of LA) was carried out by HPLC with fluorescence detection. DHLA in the sample was first labeled with ABD-F at room temperature for 10 min and then the LA was labeled with SBD-F at 50 degrees C for 1 h after conversion to DHLA using the reducing agent, TCEP. The resulting fluorophores, ABD-DHLA and SBD-DHLA, were separated by reversed-phase chromatography and detected at 510 nm (excitation at 380 nm). Both fluorophors were completely separated without any interference of endogenous thiols and disulfides in the sample and sensitively detected by fluorimetry. The proposed method was applied to the assay of the LA supplement and the determination in human plasma after the oral administration of LA tablets. The concentration (%) of LA in the tablet was reasonable to the stated amount. Furthermore, the result of a time course study in the plasma after the administration of LA did not differ from a previous report. Thus, the present method seems to be applicable to the simultaneous determination of LA and DHLA in various biological specimens.

Ozone Therapy in Induced Endotoxemic Shock. II. The Effect of Ozone Therapy Upon Selected Histochemical Reactions in Organs of Rats in Endotoxemic Shock

Mitochondria and lysosomes were evaluated by assessment of changes in activity of selected enzymes: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), acid phosphatase (AcPase) and beta-glucuronidase (BG) in rats under profound hypoxia induced by endotoxemic shock. The study was conducted on adult male Wistar rats. The animals formed the following four groups of 15 rats each: control animals (C);-rats receiving intraperitonally O(2)/O(3) (CO), rats receiving of Escherichia coli toxin (LPS) (CL); rats receiving LPS plus oxygen-ozone mixture (OL). Histoenzymatic examinations of liver, kidney, lungs, and heart muscle were performed. Lipopolysaccharide suppressed activities of all the enzymes except for LDH, the activity of which as high as a fourfold increase. The results demonstrated potent, stabilizing and regenerative effects of ozone therapy on body enzymatic processes in course of induced endotoxemic shock in rats, which might prove to be of clinical significance.

Role of lipoic acid in reducing the oxidative stress induced by cyclosporine A

BACKGROUND

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is the first choice immunosuppressant universally used for the prevention of allograft rejection in solid organ transplantation and immune-mediated diseases. However, with increasing use, evidence has accumulated that CsA therapy is associated with a variety of side effects, the most important being nephrotoxicity. We investigated the potential role of DL-alpha lipoic acid (LA), a universal antioxidant in combating the oxidative stress induced by CsA.

METHODS

Adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 treatment groups. Two groups received CsA (25 mg/kg body weight, orally for 21 days) to induce nephrotoxicity. One of these groups received LA treatment (20 mg/kg body weight, orally) for 21 days concurrently during CsA administration. A vehicle treated control group and a LA drug control were also included.

RESULTS

CsA-induced nephrotoxicity was assessed in terms of increased activities of serum marker enzymes; alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. An apparent rise in the activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase and cathepsin D were seen in the renal tissue of CsA given rats, which were reversed upon treatment with LA. CsA administration induced significant elevation in lipid peroxidation along with abnormal levels of enzymic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and non-enzymic antioxidants (glutathione, vitamins C and E) in the rat kidney. LA administration improved renal function, by bringing about a significant decrease in peroxidative levels and increase in antioxidant status.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that LA has a protective action against CsA nephrotoxicity and suggest that the LA may find clinical application against a variety of toxins where cellular damage is a consequence of reactive oxygen species.

Adriamycin induced myocardial failure in rats: Protective role of Centella asiatica

Generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in adriamycin induced cardiotoxicity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is characterized by the accumulation of oxidized lipids, proteins and DNA, leading to disorganization of mitochondrial structure and systolic failure. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Centella asiatica on the mitochondrial enzymes; mitochondrial antioxidant status in adriamycin induced myocardial injury. Adriamycin (2.5 mg/kg body wt., i.p.) induced mitochondrial damage in rats was assessed in terms of decreased activities (p<0.05) of cardiac marker enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, amino transferases), TCA cycle enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, respiratory marker enzymes (NADH-dehydrogenase, cytochrome-C-oxidase), mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GSH, SOD,CAT) and increased (p<0.05) level of lipid peroxidation. Mitochondrial damage was confirmed by transmission electron microscopic examination. Pre-co-treatment with aqueous extract of Centella asiatica (200 mg/kg body wt, oral) effectively counteracted the alterations in mitochondrial enzymes and mitochondrial defense system. In addition, transmission electron microscopy study confirms the restoration of cellular normalcy and accredits the cytoprotective role of Centella asiatica against adriamycin induced myocardial injury. Our results demonstrated elevated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in adriamycin treated rats. Moreover, on the basis of our findings it may be concluded that the aqueous extract of C. asiatica not only possesses antioxidant properties but it may also reduce the extent of mitochondrial damage.

Lipoic acid ameliorates adriamycin-induced testicular mitochondriopathy

Adriamycin (ADR), an anthracycline antibiotic, which is widely used as an antineoplastic drug in the treatment of various solid tumors, has been shown to induce reproductive abnormalities in males. In the present study, the effect of lipoic acid (LA), a universal antioxidant was investigated on ADR-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were administered ADR (1 mg/kg body weight, i.v.), once a week for 10 weeks. Mitochondrial fractions of the testis were obtained by differential centrifugation. The activities of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were decreased significantly in the animals treated with ADR. The levels of mitochondrial lipid peroxides and hydrogen peroxide were increased in ADR-treated rats. ADR-treated rats also showed decline in the activities of mitochondrial enzymes such as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH). Treatment with lipoic acid (35 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) 1 day prior to ADR administration, maintained near normal activities of the enzymes, thereby proving to be an effective cytoprotectant.