Effects of N-acetylcysteine on kidney tissue, matrix metalloproteinase-2, irisin and oxidative stress in a diabetes mellitus model

Potential role of irisin in lung diseases and advances in research

Irisin, a myokine, is secreted by the movement of skeletal muscles. It plays an important role in metabolic homeostasis, insulin resistance, anti-inflammation, oxidative stress, and bone metabolism. Several studies have reported that irisin-related signaling pathways play a critical role in the treatment of various diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, the potential role of irisin in lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute lung injury, lung cancer, and their associated complications, has received increasing attention. This article aims to explore the role of irisin in lung diseases, primarily focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms, which may serve as a marker for the diagnosis as well as a potential target for the treatment of lung diseases, thus providing new strategies for their treatment.

Comparison of interleukin-6, oxidant and antioxidant levels in the kidneys of the trained and untrained rats following exhaustive exercise

In this study, the cytokine response (interleukin-6; IL-6), free oxygen radicals which are claimed to be responsible for the damage in the kidney tissue of exercise-trained rats and untrained-rats, and antioxidant levels were investigated after being forced to an exhausting run. Forty male Wistar albino rats were assigned to the following groups: sedentary controls (C); untrained animals that acutely completed the exhaustive exercise and were sacrificed immediately after exhaustion (UT-i) or 1 day after exhaustion (UT-1); and long-term trained animals that completed the exhaustive exercise and were sacrificed immediately after exhaustion (T-i) or 1 day after exhaustion (T-1). In UT-i and 1 day after exhaustion (T-1) groups, total oxidant status levels were increased compared to controls (P<0.05). IL-6, which is reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect in exercise, did not increase in untrained group immediately, but started to increase 1 day after exhaustion compared to controls. IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the T-i and T-1 groups compared to the control and UT-i groups (P<0.05). The level of total antioxidant status did not show a significant increase in the UT-i group but started to rise after exhaustion the T-1 group. IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the T-i and T-1 groups compared to the control, UT-i, and UT-1 groups (P<0.05). As a result, while oxidant stress and antioxidant mechanism increased immediately in the trained group, IL-6 increased significantly immediately and 1 day later. In the untrained group, however, an increase was observed in oxidant stress, antioxidant mechanism, and IL-6 levels after 1 day.

The Effect of N-Acetylcysteine and Ascorbic Acid-2-Phosphate Supplementation on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Function in B6.C-Lepob/J Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Diabetes is a complex multifactorial disorder associated with hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The pathological microenvironment impairs mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) viability and dysregulates their proregenerative and immune-modulatory function causing maladaptive tissue damage. Targeting stem cells to protect them against impairment could thus delay the onset of complications and enhance the quality of life in diabetes mellitus patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and ascorbic-acid-2-phosphate (AAP) oral supplementation as preventative measure against MSC impairment. Healthy wild-type control (C57BL/6J) (male, n = 24) and obese diabetic (B6.C-Lep^ob/J) (ob/ob) (male, n = 24) mice received either placebo or antioxidant (NAC/AAP) supplementation for a period of 6 weeks. Metabolic parameters (weight and blood glucose) and the oxidative status (serum total serum antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde) of animals were assessed. At the end of the 6-week supplementation period, bone marrow MSCs were isolated and their functionality (growth rate, viability, adipogenesis, and osteogenesis) assessed ex vivo. Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction microarray analysis was also performed to assess the expression of 84 genes related to oxidative stress in MSCs. Despite no change in the metabolic profile, NAC/AAP supplementation improved the antioxidant status of diabetic animals and reduced lipid peroxidation, which is indicative of cellular damage. NAC/AAP also improved the population doubling time of MSCs (first 6-days postisolation) and significantly downregulated the expression of two genes (Nox1 and Rag2) associated with oxidative stress compared to placebo treatment. Taken together, this study has shown reduced oxidative stress and improvements in MSC function following in vivo antioxidant supplementation in healthy control and type 2 diabetic mice.