Thioacetamide toxicity and the spleen: histological and biochemical analysis

Development of a functional cake with probiotics and micro-encapsulated essential oils: Evaluation of nutritional properties, liver protection, and immune boosting

This study used probiotics and micro-encapsulated clove and cinnamon oils to develop a functional cream-stuffed cake based on sweet potatoes flour and rice flour instead of wheat flour. The cake was evaluated for its physical, chemical, and sensory properties and its antioxidant capacity. The protective effect of the cake against liver injury and immunosuppression induced by thioacetamide injection in male rats was also evaluated. The study found that eugenol and cinnamaldehyde were the majority of volatile compounds in the essential oils used in the cake, with values of 78.73 % and 81.57 %, respectively, as determined by GC-MS analysis. The viable counts of added probiotics in the cake ranged from 13.15 to 11.21 log CFU/g and were still above the threshold for health benefits. The cake had an increased dietary fiber and protein content while containing a low-fat percentage compared to a commercial cake sample. The innovative cake also contained higher levels of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc. The antioxidant capacity of the cake was evaluated, and it was found to contain 1827.23 mg GAE/100 g of total phenols and 97.13 mg QE/100 g of flavonoids. The cake was also found to have antioxidant activity and was effective in protecting the liver from oxidative stress and inflammation and reducing immunodeficiency associated with liver damage.

Oral bovine serum albumin administration alleviates inflammatory signals and improves antioxidant capacity and immune response under thioacetamide stress in blunt snout bream fed a high-calorie diet

This investigation looks at the impact of oral bovine serum albumin (BSA) on antioxidants, immune responses, and inflammation signals in blunt snout bream fed a high-calorie diet. 480 fish (average weight: 45.84 ± 0.07 g) were randomly fed a control diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), a high carbohydrate diet (HCD), and a high-energy diet (HED) in six replicates for 12 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish were orally administered with 10% BSA for 10 h, then blood and liver samples from five fish were randomly obtained after 10 h to determine plasma inflammatory markers and inorganic components. Also, the leftover fish were injected with thioacetamide, blood and liver samples were simultaneously obtained at 12, 48, and 96 h, respectively, to determine antioxidant, immune, and inflammatory signals, with survival rates recorded at the same time interval. After 10 h, plasma inflammatory markers such as tumour necrosis factors (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL6), nitric oxide (NO), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), and cortisol were significantly improved in fish fed HCD and HED as compared to the control. After thioacetamide stress, plasma lysozyme (LYM), complement 3, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as immunoglobulin M, levels all increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing time with maximum value attained at 96 h, but shows no difference among dietary treatment. Similar results were observed in liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, but tended to reduce at 96 h. nf-kb, tnf-α, and mcp-1 tend to decrease with the minimum value attained at 48 h and gradually decrease with increasing time at 96 h. After 96 h of the thioacetamide (TAA) challenge, the survival rate of blunt snout bream fed with an HFD and HCD was significantly lower (P < 0.05) at 48, and 96 h before the administration of BSA. However, no differences were observed among dietary treatments after the BSA administration. Overall, this study indicated that oral dietary administration of BSA might greatly enhance the antioxidant capability and innate immunity and mitigates inflammation signals after TAA stress in blunt snout bream fed high energy diet.

Evaluation of the Effect of Wheat Germ Oil and Olmutinib on the Thioacetamide-Induced Liver and Kidney Toxicity in Mice

Thioacetamide (TAA) intoxication produces a reproducible standard animal model of induced liver and kidney injuries where free radicals are produced by phase I oxidation reactions, which eventually leads to liver and kidney failure. Wheat germ oil (WGO) is a unique food supplement with concentrated nutrient efficiency and has remarkable antioxidant functions. Olmutinib, on the other hand, is a chemotherapy drug considered safe for kidneys and the liver. Therefore, in this study, WGO and olmutinib were investigated for their effect on TAA-induced liver and kidney damage. Inflammatory markers; interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β); IL-6; and the levels of enzymatic markers ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase), and CK (creatinine kinase) in serum for liver and kidney were analyzed and evaluated along with histopathological changes in the tissue. Thirty male mice 4–6 weeks of age were grouped into five groups of six animals: the control group (saline) and the other groups (Groups II to V), which were given thioacetamide for two weeks. In addition, Group II continued with TAA; Group III was given olmutinib (30 mg/kg), Group IV was given the wheat germ oil (WGO) (1400 mg/kg), and Group V was given (olmutinib (30 mg/kg) + WGO (1400 mg/kg)) for five days. The results suggested that olmutinib treatment potentiated TAA-induced liver and kidney injury. At the same time, WGO efficiently alleviated TAA and TAA–olmutinib toxicity in Groups IV and V. The histological studies also showed reduced damage with WGO in the animal model. Hence, it was concluded that WGO could significantly reduce liver and kidney damage caused by TAA and olmutinib in mice.

Acute bone damage through liver-bone axis induced by thioacetamide in rats

Background

Thioacetamide (TAA) is used in various fields, such as synthetic drugs, organic chemical synthesis, and materials chemistry. TAA is mainly used to establish animal liver injury models and other organ damage models to explore their mechanisms for helping patients with liver disease. Liver damage can lead to abnormal expression of some enzymes in the serum, so we detected the appropriate enzyme levels in the serum of SD rats to verify the damage of TAA to the liver. More importantly, TAA caused bone damage is barely understood. Therefore, our research aims to establish a rat model reflecting the acute bone damage injury caused by TAA.

Methods

The SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline (0.9%) or TAA (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) for 1 month (once the other day). After the last intraperitoneal injection, serum samples from rats were used for biochemical tests. Masson staining is used to detect liver damage, and micro-CT is used to detect the changes in bone. Moreover, the three-point bending experiment was used to detect the force range of the hind limbs of SD rats.

Results

Compared with the control group, after the intraperitoneal injection of TAA, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid (UA), total bile acid (TBA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), carbamide (UREA) and creatinine (CREA) rose sharply, while the levels of serum content of total protein (TP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were severely reduced. After TAA administration, collagen fibers were deposited and liver fibrosis was obvious. Micro-CT results showed that the bone surface, tissue surface, bone volume, and tissue volume of rats with an intraperitoneal injection of TAA were significantly reduced. In addition, the bones of rats with an intraperitoneal injection of TAA can resist less pressure and are prone to fractures.

Conclusions

TAA can cause liver damage in SD rats, which is explained by the changes in serum biochemical indicators and the deposition of liver collagen. More importantly, TAA can reduce bone mineral density and increase the separation of bone trabeculae in SD rats, and finally lead to bone injury. This suggests that TAA may become an ideal model to investigate abnormal bone metabolism after liver injury.

Chlorogenic acid alleviates thioacetamide-induced toxicity and promotes liver development in zebrafish (Danio rerio) through the Wnt signaling pathway

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a phenylpropanoid compound that is well known to improve the antioxidant capacity and other biological activities. However, the roles of CGA in the liver development of organisms are unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the function of CGA in the hepatic development in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced zebrafish embryos. We found that CGA exerted certain beneficial effects on zebrafish larvae from TAA-exposed zebrafish embryos, such as increasing the liver size, body length, heart rate, acetylcholinesterase activity, and motor ability. In addition, CGA displayed an antioxidant effect on TAA-induced zebrafish embryos by enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and decreasing of the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). The results of western blotting analysis showed that CGA inhibited cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of Bcl2 apoptosis regulator and decreasing the levels of Bcl2 associated X (Bax), apoptosis regulator and tumor protein P53. Moreover, CGA promoted cell proliferation in TAA-induced zebrafish larvae, as detected using proliferating cell nuclear antigen fluorescence immunostaining. In addition, CGA inhibited the expression of Wnt signaling pathway genes Dkk1 (encoding Dickkopf Wnt signaling pathway inhibitors), and promoted the expression of Lef1 (encoding lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1) and Wnt2bb (encoding wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 2Bb). When the Wnt signal inhibitor IWR-1 was added, there was no significant change in liver development in the IWR-1 + TAA group compared with the IWR-1 + TAA + CGA group (p <0.05), which suggested that CGA regulates liver development via Wnt signaling pathway. Overall, our results suggested that CGA might alleviate TAA-induced toxicity in zebrafish and promote liver development through the Wnt signaling pathway, which provides a basis for the therapeutic effect of CGA on liver dysplasia.

Physiological and histopathological study on the influence of Ocimum basilicum leaves extract on thioacetamide-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats

Kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Globally, many risk factors for kidney disease progression have been identified. The global prevalence of acute and chronic forms of kidney disease is rising continuously. Nephrotoxicity is defined as rapid dysfunction of kidney due to toxic influence of medications and chemicals. Nephroprotective agents are material that has potential to minimize the effects of nephrotoxic agents. Plants have been shown to be potential therapeutic agents to protect against nephrotoxicity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of basil leaves extract against thioacetamide (TAA) in male rats. Experimental male rats were divided into four groups. Rats of the first group were served as controls. Rats of the second group were exposed to TAA. Rats of the third group were treated with basil leaves extract and TAA. Rats of the fourth group were treated with basil leaves extract. After the end of experimental duration (6 Weeks), rats of the second group showed significantly increases of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid levels, while the levels of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione were significantly decreased. Histopathologically, renal sections from rats treated with only TAA showed several alterations in the structure of most renal corpuscles including a degeneration of glomeruli and Bowman's capsules. Treatment with basil leaves extract improved the observed biochemical and histopathological changes induced by TAA intoxication. These new findings indicate that the extract of basil leaves represent protective roles on biochemical and histopathological changes induced by TAA toxicity due to its antioxidant activities.

Metformin as a protective agent against natural or chemical toxicities: a comprehensive review on drug repositioning

BACKGROUND

Metformin is the first prescribed drug for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mainly by activating AMPK pathway, this drug exerts various functions that among them protective effects are of the interest.

PURPOSE

Herein, we aimed to gather data about the protective impacts of metformin against various natural or chemical toxicities.

RESULTS

An extensive search among PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted by keywords related to protection, toxicity, natural and chemical toxins and, metformin. Our literature review showed metformin alongside its anti-hyperglycemic effect has a wide range of anti-toxic effects against anti-tumour and routine drugs, natural and chemical toxins, herbicides and, heavy metals.

CONCLUSION

It is evident that metformin is a potent drug against the toxicity of a broad spectrum of natural, chemical toxic agents which is proved by a vast number of studies. Metformin mainly through AMPK axis can protect different organs against toxicities. Moreover, metformin preserves DNA integrity and can be an option for adjuvant therapy to ameliorate side effect of other therapeutics.

The potential protective influence of flaxseed oil against renal toxicity induced by thioacetamide in rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate the influence of flaxseed oil on renal toxicity induced by thioacetamide in male rats. The animals were distributed into four groups. Rats of the first group were served as control. Rats of the second group were exposed to thioacetamide. Rats of the third group were treated with flaxseed oil and thioacetamide. Rats of the fourth group were treated with flaxseed oil. Significant increases of blood creatinine and uric acid were observed in TAA-treated rats after three weeks. In thioacetamide group, the levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were significantly elevated after six weeks. Histopathologically, the renal sections from thioacetamide-treated rats showed severe alterations in the structure of renal corpuscles including a degeneration of glomeruli and Bowman's capsules. Administration of flaxseed oil protects the observed biochemical and histopathological alterations induced by thioacetamide exposure. Hence, the results of this study suggest that flaxseed oil protects against thioacetamide-induced renal injury and the protective influence of flaxseed oil may be attributed to its antioxidant role.

Protective Effects of Functional Chicken Liver Hydrolysates against Liver Fibrogenesis: Antioxidation, Anti-inflammation, and Antifibrosis

Via an assay using an Amino Acid Analyzer, pepsin-digested chicken liver hydrolysates (CLHs) contain taurine (365.57 ± 39.04 mg/100 g), carnosine (14.03 ± 1.98 mg/100 g), and anserine (151.58 ± 27.82 mg/100 g). This study aimed to evaluate whether CLHs could alleviate thioacetamide (TAA)-induced fibrosis. A dose of 100 mg TAA/kg BW significantly increased serum liver damage indices and liver cytokine contents. Cell infiltration and monocytes/macrophages in livers of TAA-treated rats were illustrated by the H&E staining and immunohistochemical analysis of cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68, ED1), respectively. A significantly increased hepatic collagen accumulation was also observed and quantified under TAA treatment. A significant up-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) caused by TAA treatment further enhanced alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) gene and protein expressions. The liver antioxidant effects under TAA treatment were significantly amended by 200 and 600 mg CLHs/kg BW. Hence, the ameliorative effects of CLHs on liver fibrogenesis could be attributed by antioxidation and anti-inflmmation.

Amelioration of thioacetamide-induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats by rutin

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of rutin on hepatotoxicity induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats consisting of six rats each were used: Group I: control group; Group II: rats receiving single injection of 300 mg kg⁻¹ body weight of TAA intraperitoneally; Group III: rats administered rutin (10 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) dissolved in saline orally for 2 weeks; and Group IV: rats administered rutin (10 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) dissolved in saline orally for 2 weeks followed by TAA injection last day of second week. All groups were sacrificed after 24 h of treatment and hepatic toxicity was analyzed with respect to liver toxicity markers, liver DNA fragmentation, and histology of liver tissue. Administration of TAA in Wistar rats resulted in significant increase of hepatic markers, DNA fragmentation in the hepatocytes, and changes in histology. Pretreatment of rats with rutin before 2 weeks of TAA assault resulted in the complete reversal of TAA-mediated hepatic toxicity (P < 0.0001 to P < 0.01) with concomitant restoration of DNA fragmentation. This study suggests rutin as a protective agent for restoration of toxicity caused by TAA.

Early Detection of Acute Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Mice by Noninvasive Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging

Hepatocellular and cholestatic forms of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are major reasons for late-stage termination of small-molecule drug discovery research projects. Biochemical serum markers are limited in their ability to sensitively and specifically detect both of these common DILI forms in preclinical models, and tissue-specific approaches to assessing this are labor intensive, requiring extensive animal dosing, tissue preparation, and pathology assessment. In vivo fluorescent imaging offers noninvasive detection of biologic changes detected directly in the livers of living animals. Three different near-infrared fluorescent imaging probes, specific for cell death (Annexin-Vivo 750), matrix metalloproteases (MMPSense 750 FAST), and transferrin receptor (Transferrin-Vivo 750) were used to measure the effects of single bolus intraperitoneal doses of four different chemical agents known to induce liver injury. Hepatocellular injury–inducing agents, thioacetamide and acetaminophen, showed optimal injury detection with probe injection at 18–24 hours, the liver cholestasis-inducing drug rifampicin required early probe injection (2 hours), and chlorpromazine, which induces mixed hepatocellular/cholestatic injury, showed injury with both early and late injection. Different patterns of liver responses were seen among these different imaging probes, and no one probe detected injury by all four compounds. By using a cocktail of these three near-infrared fluorescent imaging probes, all labeled with 750-nm fluorophores, each of the four different DILI agents induced comparable tissue injury within the liver region, as assessed by epifluorescence imaging. A strategy of probe cocktail injection in separate cohorts at 2 hours and at 20–24 hours allowed the effective detection of drugs with either early- or late-onset injury.

Protective effect of olive and juniper leaves extracts on nephrotoxicity induced by thioacetamide in male mice

This study, for the first time, evaluates the effect of olive and juniper leaves extracts and their combination on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced nephrotoxicity in male mice. The experimental mice were divided into eight groups. Group 1 was served as control. Group 2 was exposed to TAA. Group 3 was treated with TAA and olive leaves extract. Group 4 was subjected to TAA and juniper leaves extract. Group 5 was exposed to TAA and olive and juniper leaves extracts. Groups 6, 7 and 8 were treated with olive, juniper, and olive and juniper leaves extracts respectively. In mice treated with only TAA, significant increases of blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were observed after six weeks. Moreover, levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were statistically increased in mice administrated with only TAA for twelve weeks. Insignificant alterations in levels of these haematobiochemical parameters were noted in other treated groups after six and twelve weeks. Histopathological evaluations of renal sections from mice treated with only TAA for twelve weeks showed severe damage of the renal corpuscles. Furthermore, the renal sections from mice treated with TAA and olive leaves extract, TAA and juniper leaves extract, TAA and olive and juniper leaves extracts, olive leaves extract, juniper leaves extract, and olive and juniper leaves extracts showed normal structures. In addition, it is conceivable therefore, that these extracts exhibit protective influences against TAA-induced nephrotoxicity, probably mediated through the antioxidative pathway roles.

Physiological investigations on the effect of olive and rosemary leaves extracts in male rats exposed to thioacetamide

Physiologically, it is known that thioacetamide (TAA) toxicity is generally associated with hepatic fibrosis induction, complicated metabolic disorders and health problems. The capability of extracts of olive and rosemary leaves to attenuate the severe physiological disturbances induced by thioacetamide (TAA) intoxication in male rats has been evaluated. Healthy male Wistar rats were used in the present study and were divided randomly into eight groups. Rats of the first group were served as normal control. Rats of the second group were administrated with TAA. Rats of the third, fourth and fifth groups were exposed to TAA plus olive leaves extract, TAA plus rosemary leaves extract and TAA plus olive and rosemary leaves extracts respectively. The sixth, seventh and eighth groups were supplemented with olive leaves extract, rosemary leaves extract, and olive and rosemary leaves extracts respectively. After 12 weeks of experimental treatments, the levels of serum glucose, total protein, albumin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased, while the levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were statistically increased in rats exposed to TAA. Administration of the studied extracts inhibited the hematobiochemical parameters and improved the physiological disturbances induced by TAA intoxication. Additionally, most improvements were noted in rats administrated with rosemary leaves extract followed by olive and rosemary leaves extracts and olive leaves extract. These results suggested that the effect of these extracts might be due to their antioxidant activities against TAA toxicity.

Attenuating effect of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract on liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide in mice

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract on experimental liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in male albino mice. The experimental mice were divided into four groups. The mice of the first group were served as control. The experimental animals of the second group were given 150 mg/kg body weight of TAA by intraperitoneal injection, twice weekly, for 9 weeks. The mice of the third group were exposed to TAA and supplemented with G. biloba leaves extract. The animals of the fourth group were supplemented with G. biloba leaves extract. The levels of plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were statistically increased while the levels of plasma total protein, albumin, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased. The levels of liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glycogen and total protein were notably declined, whereas the level of total lipid was increased in mice of the second group. Furthermore, microscopic examination of liver sections from mice treated with TAA showed an abnormal morphology characterized by nodular transformations in liver parenchyma which surrounded by fibrous septa. Administration of G. biloba leaves extract reduced extent and development of fibrous septa, liver cells change, and biochemical alterations in mice exposed to TAA. This study showed that G. biloba leaves extract has a potential activity against TAA-induced liver fibrosis and suggested that the chemical constituents of G. biloba are effective in modulation of oxidative stress induced by TAA.

Zinc and the liver: an active interaction

Zinc is an essential trace element, exerting important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. It affects growth and development and participates in processes such as aging and cancer induction. The liver is important for the regulation of zinc homeostasis, while zinc is necessary for proper liver function. Decreased zinc levels have been implicated in both acute and chronic liver disease states, and zinc deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Zinc supplementation offers protection in experimental animal models of acute and chronic liver injury, but these hepatoprotective properties have not been fully elucidated. In the present review, data on zinc homeostasis, its implication in the pathogenesis of liver diseases, and its effect on acute and chronic liver diseases are presented. It is concluded that zinc could protect against liver diseases, although up to now the underlying pathophysiology of zinc and liver interactions have not been defined.

Antioxidant enzyme level in the testes of cirrhotic rats

OBJECTIVES

An understanding of the tissue and organ level of antioxidant enzymes that scavenge reactive oxygen species may provide an indication of their susceptibility to free radical-related cytotoxic damage. A direct association between testicular production of excessive reactive oxygen species and male infertility has been noted. We measured the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the testes of thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic rats.

METHODS

Antioxidant enzyme activities and trace element levels (copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium) in the testes of thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic and control rats were measured. The statistical difference between the experimental and control groups with regard to the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and levels of trace elements was analyzed with Student's t test.

RESULTS

Our results showed a significant decrease in the activity of these enzymes in the testes of cirrhotic rats. The testicular levels of copper, zinc, and manganese, which are associated with these antioxidant enzymes, increased, whereas selenium decreased slightly in cirrhotic rats; that decrease was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies showed a drastic decrease in the level of antioxidant enzymes in the testes of cirrhotic rats that could have deleterious effects on sperm function in these animals. Further studies are necessary to understand the exact pathways of trace element metabolism in the testes of cirrhotic rats.