MRN-100, an Iron-based Compound, Possesses Anti-HIV Activity In Vitro

Anti-radiation effect of MRN-100: a hydro-ferrate fluid, in vivo

Ionizing radiation (IR) severely harms many organs, especially the hematopoietic tissue, mandating the development of protective nutraceuticals. MRN-100, a hydro-ferrate fluid, has been shown to protect γ-radiated fish against hematopoietic tissue damage and lethality. The current study aimed to examine MRN-100's protective effect against irradiated mice and explore the mechanisms underlying its effect. Mice received a single acute, sub-lethal, 5 Gy, whole body dose of X-ray IR. MRN-100 treatment was administered daily for 2-weeks pre-irradiation until 1-week post-irradiation. Spleen and blood were analysed for oxidative stress, hematological, histological and biochemical parameters. Radiation exposure markedly decreased complete blood count (CBC) parameters including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and lymphocytes, and significantly increased neutrophils. In contrast, MRN-100 supplementation to irradiated mice ameliorated all CBC parameters and protected against DNA damage in both splenic cells and serum. It also had an antioxidant effect, increasing the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity, which were otherwise decreased by irradiation. MRN-100 intake reduced the oxidative stress biomarker levels of nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker specific to DNA damage. Furthermore, MRN-100 enhanced serum iron and reversed the radiation-induced elevations of liver enzymes. Finally, MRN-100 protected splenic tissue from irradiation as observed by histology. We conclude that MRN-100 consumption may protect against oxidative stress generated by radiation exposure, suggesting that it may be employed as an adjuvant treatment to prevent radiation's severe damage to important organs.

Hydroferrate fluid, MRN-100, provides protection against chemical-induced gastric and esophageal cancer in Wistar rats

In the current study, we examined the protective effect of hydroferrate fluid MRN-100 against the carcinogen methylnitronitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced gastric and esophageal cancer in rats. MRN-100 is an iron-based compound composed of bivalent and trivalent ferrates. At 33 weeks post treatment with MNNG, rats were killed and examined for the histopathology of esophagus and stomach; liver, spleen, and total body weight; and antioxidant levels in the blood and stomach tissues. Results showed that 17/20 (85%) gastroesophageal tissues from carcinogen MNNG-treated rats developed dysplasia and cancer, as compared to 8/20 (40%) rats treated with MNNG plus MRN-100. In addition, MRN-100 exerted an antioxidant effect in both the blood and stomach tissues by increasing levels of GSH, antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPx, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level. This was accompanied by a reduction in the total free-radical and malondialdehyde levels. Furthermore, MRN-100 protected against body and organ weight loss. Thus, MRN-100 exhibited significant cancer chemopreventive activity by protecting tissues against oxidative damage in rats, which may suggest its effectiveness as an adjuvant for the treatment of gastric/esophageal carcinoma.

Protective effect of hydroferrate fluid, MRN-100, against lethality and hematopoietic tissue damage in γ-radiated Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Hydroferrate fluid, MRN-100, an iron-based compound derived from bivalent and trivalent ferrates, is a potent antioxidant compound. Therefore, we examined the protective effect of MRN-100 against γ-radiation-induced lethality and damage to hematopoietic tissues in fish. A total of 216 Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 served as a control that was administered no radiation and no MRN-100 treatment. Group 2 was exposed only to γ-radiation (15 Gy). Groups 3 and 4 were pre-treated with MRN-100 at doses of either 1 ml/l or 3 ml/l in water for 1 week, and subsequently exposed to radiation while continuing to receive MRN-100 for 27 days. The survival rate was measured, and biochemical and histopathological analyses of hematopoietic tissues were performed for the different treatment groups at 1 and 4 weeks post-radiation. Exposure to radiation reduced the survival rate to 27.7%, while treatment with MRN-100 maintained the survival rate at 87.2%. In addition, fish exposed to γ-radiation for 1 week showed a significant decrease in the total number of white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) series. However, treatment with MRN-100 protected the total WBC count and the RBCs series when compared with irradiated fish. Furthermore, significant histological lesions were observed in the hepatopancreas, spleen and gills of irradiated fish. However, treatment with MRN-100 protected the histopathology of various organs. We conclude that MRN-100 is a radioprotective agent in fish and may be useful as an adjuvant treatment to counteract the adverse side effects associated with radiation exposure.

An iron-based beverage, HydroFerrate fluid (MRN-100), alleviates oxidative stress in murine lymphocytes in vitro

Background

Several studies have examined the correlation between iron oxidation and H₂O₂ degradation. The present study was carried out to examine the protective effects of MRN-100 against stress-induced apoptosis in murine splenic cells in vitro. MRN-100, or HydroFerrate fluid, is an iron-based beverage composed of bivalent and trivalent ferrates.

Methods

Splenic lymphocytes from mice were cultured in the presence or absence of MRN-100 for 2 hrs and were subsequently exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a concentration of 25 μM for 14 hrs. Percent cell death was examined by flow cytometry and trypan blue exclusion. The effect of MRN-100 on Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels was determined by Western blot.

Results

Results show, as expected, that culture of splenic cells with H₂O₂ alone results in a significant increase in cell death (apoptosis) as compared to control (CM) cells. In contrast, pre-treatment of cells with MRN-100 followed by H₂O₂ treatment results in significantly reduced levels of apoptosis.

In addition, MRN-100 partially prevents H₂O₂-induced down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 and upregulation of the pro-apoptotic molecule Bax.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that MRN-100 may offer a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes.