Assessment the Protective Role of Quercetin on Acrylamide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Impacts of Acrylamide on testis and spermatozoa

Acrylamide (ACR) is an industrial chemical used to produce polyacrylamide, a synthetic polymer with a wide range of applications. Depending on the dosage, its presence in occupational and environmental sources poses potential health risks to humans and animals. ACR can be formed in starchy foods cooked at high temperatures. Its effects on human sperm are not well understood. Animal studies indicate that ACR induces toxicity in the male reproductive system through oxidative stress mechanisms. Exposure to ACR alters the normal structure of testicular tubules, leading to congestion, interstitial edema, degeneration of spermatogenic cells, formation of abnormal spermatid giant cells, and necrosis and apoptosis. It also disrupts the balance of important biomarkers such as malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione. ACR has a negative impact on mitochondrial function, antioxidant enzymes, ATP production, and sperm membrane integrity, resulting in decreased sperm quality. Furthermore, it interferes with the expression of steroidogenic genes associated with testosterone biosynthesis. This review explores the detrimental effects of ACR on sperm and testicular function and discusses the potential role of antioxidants in mitigating the adverse effects of ACR on male reproduction.

Acrylamide in food: Occurrence, metabolism, molecular toxicity mechanism and detoxification by phytochemicals

Acrylamide (ACR) is a common pollutant formed during food thermal processing such as frying, baking and roasting. ACR and its metabolites can cause various negative effects on organisms. To date, there have been some reviews summarizing the formation, absorption, detection and prevention of ACR, but there is no systematic summary on the mechanism of ACR-induced toxicity. In the past five years, the molecular mechanism for ACR-induced toxicity has been further explored and the detoxification of ACR by phytochemicals has been partly achieved. This review summarizes the ACR level in foods and its metabolic pathways, as well as highlights the mechanisms underlying ACR-induced toxicity and ACR detoxification by phytochemicals. It appears that oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, biochemical metabolism and gut microbiota disturbance are involved in various ACR-induced toxicities. In addition, the effects and possible action mechanisms of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, quinones, alkaloids, terpenoids, as well as vitamins and their analogs on ACR-induced toxicities are also discussed. This review provides potential therapeutic targets and strategies for addressing various ACR-induced toxicities in the future.

Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin against Abamectin-Induced Hemato-Biochemical Alterations and Hepatorenal Oxidative Damage in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Abamectin (ABM) is a common agricultural pesticide and veterinary anthelmintic drug. It can discharge from the sites of application to aquatic systems via surface run-off or spray drift, causing harmful effects to aquatic organisms. The present study investigated the protective effect of dietary quercetin supplementation on hemato-biochemical parameters and hepato-renal oxidative stress biomarkers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to a sublethal dose of ABM. Fish were allocated into six equal groups. The first group was kept as a control group. The second and third groups (Q₄₀₀, and Q₈₀₀) were fed diets supplemented with two quercetin levels (400 and 800 mg/kg diet), respectively. The fourth group (ABM) was intoxicated with 20.73 µg/L of ABM. The fifth and sixth groups (ABM + Q₄₀₀, and ABM + Q₈₀₀) were fed diet supplemented with two quercetin levels (400 and 800 mg/kg diet) and simultaneously intoxicated with ABM for 60 days. The results showed that ABM significantly decreased RBCs, hemoglobin content, hematocrit, total protein, albumin levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity activities compared to the control. Meanwhile, ABM significantly increased white blood cells, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Liver and kidney levels of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, while hepato-renal antioxidant biomarkers (reduced glutathione, super oxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity) were significantly decreased upon ABM exposure. On the other hand, quercetin dietary supplementation improved the hemato-biochemical alterations and alleviated oxidative stress induced by ABM exposure. Fish supplemented with quercetin at a level of 800 mg/kg diet showed better alleviating effects against ABM compared to 400 mg/kg diet. Based on these study findings, we suggest that quercetin dietary supplementation (800 mg/kg) offered direct protection against ABM-induced physiological disturbance and oxidative stress in Nile tilapia.

Protective Effects of Wine Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress and Hepatotoxicity Induced by Acrylamide in Rats

In recent years, it has been increasingly suggested that the consumption of natural polyphenols, in moderate amounts, is beneficial for health. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a red wine (the administered dose of 7 mL/kg/day being equivalent to ~16.5 mg/kg/day total polyphenols) compared to a white wine (the administered dose of 7 mL/kg/day being equivalent to ~1.7 mg/kg/day total polyphenols), on the prevention of acrylamide-induced subacute hepatic injury and oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Hepatic damage due to acrylamide intoxication (the administered dose being 250 µg/kg body weight, for 28 days, by intragastric gavage) was assessed by employing biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) and by histopathological studies. Markers of oxidative damage were measured in terms of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and liver antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) activities. Regarding hepatic enzyme activities, treatment with red wine significantly decreased the AST values (p < 0.05), while for the ALT values only a normalization tendency was observed. Treatment with red wine and white wine, respectively, significantly prevented the increase in MDA and TBARS levels (p < 0.05), as well as the depletion of GSH (p < 0.05). Red wine treatment normalized the activities of the antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD in rats intoxicated with acrylamide, while supplementing the diet with white wine did not produce significant differences in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Histopathological findings revealed a moderate protective effect of red wine after four weeks of daily consumption. Our findings provide evidence that red wine, having a higher phenolic content than white wine, has a significant protective effect on oxidative stress and liver injury induced by acrylamide in rats, through its antioxidative activity.

The consequence and mechanism of dietary flavonoids on androgen profiles and disorders amelioration

Androgen is a kind of steroid hormone that plays a vital role in reproductive system and homeostasis of the body. Disrupted androgen balance serves as the causal contributor to a series of physiological disorders and even diseases. Flavonoids, as an extremely frequent family of natural polyphenols, exist widely in plants and foods and have received great attention when considering their inevitable consumption and estrogen-like effects. Mounting evidence illustrates that flavonoids have a propensity to interfere with androgen synthesis and metabolism, and also have a designated improvement effect on androgen disorders. Therefore, flavonoids were divided into six subclasses based on the structural feature in this paper, and the literature about their effects on androgens published in the past ten years was summarized. It could be concluded that flavonoids have the potential to regulate androgen levels and biological effects, mainly by interfering with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, androgen synthesis and metabolism, androgen binding with its receptors and membrane receptors, and antioxidant effects. The faced challenges about androgen regulation by flavonoids masterly include target mechanism exploration, individual heterogeneity, food matrixes interaction, and lack of clinical study. This review also provides a scientific basis for nutritional intervention using flavonoids to improve androgen disorder symptoms.

Acrylamide and Potential Risk of Diabetes Mellitus: Effects on Human Population, Glucose Metabolism and Beta-Cell Toxicity

Diabetes mellitus is a frequent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Acrylamide (AA) is food contaminant formed during the high-temperature processing of food rich in carbohydrates and low in proteins. Recent human epidemiological studies have shown a potential association between AA exposure and the prevalence of diabetes in the general population. In male rats, AA treatment promoted pancreatic islet remodeling, which was determined by alpha-cell expansion and beta-cell reduction, while in female rats AA caused hyperglycemia and histopathological changes in pancreatic islets. In vitro and in vivo rodent model systems have revealed that AA induces oxidative stress in beta cells and that AA impairs glucose metabolism and the insulin signaling pathway. Animal studies have shown that diabetic rodents are more sensitive to acrylamide and that AA aggravates the diabetic state. In this review, we provide an overview of human epidemiological studies that examined the relation between AA exposure and glucose disorders. In addition, the effects of AA treatment on pancreatic islet structure, beta-cell function and glucose metabolism in animal models are comprehensively analyzed with an emphasis on sex-related responses. Furthermore, oxidative stress as a putative mechanism of AA-induced toxicity in beta cells is explored. Finally, we discuss the effects of AA on diabetics in a rodent model system.

Effect of Acrylamide Treatment on Cyp2e1 Expression and Redox Status in Rat Hepatocytes

Acrylamide (AA) toxicity is associated with oxidative stress. During detoxification, AA is either coupled to gluthatione or biotransformed to glycidamide by the enzyme cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). The aim of our study was to examine the hepatotoxicity of AA in vivo and in vitro. Thirty male Wistar rats were treated with 25 or 50 mg/kg b.w. of AA for 3 weeks. Qualitative and quantitative immunohistochemical evaluation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CYP2E1, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and SOD2 expression in liver was carried out. Bearing in mind that the liver is consisted mainly of hepatocytes, in a parallel study, we used the rat hepatoma cell line H4IIE to investigate the effects of AA at IC20 and IC50 concentrations on the redox status and the activity of CAT, SOD, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), their gene expression, and CYP2E1 and iNOS expression. Immunohistochemically stained liver sections showed that treatment with AA25mg induced a significant decrease of CYP2E1 protein expression (p < 0.05), while treatment with AA50mg led to a significant increase of iNOS protein expression (p < 0.05). AA treatment dose-dependently elevated SOD2 protein expression (p < 0.05), while SOD1 protein expression was significantly increased only at AA50mg (p < 0.05). CAT protein expression was not significantly affected by AA treatments (p > 0.05). In AA-treated H4IIE cells, a concentration-dependent significant increase in lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels was observed (p < 0.05), while GSH content and SOD activity significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). AA IC50 significantly enhanced GST activity (p < 0.05). The level of mRNA significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner for iNOS, SOD2, and CAT in AA-treated H4IIE cells (p < 0.05). AA IC50 significantly increased the transcription of SOD1, GSTA2, and GSTP1 genes (p < 0.05), while AA IC20 significantly decreased mRNA for CYP2E1 in H4IIE cells (p < 0.05). Obtained results indicate that AA treatments, both in vivo and in vitro, change hepatocytes; drug-metabolizing potential and disturb its redox status.

The Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Apoptotic and Antioxidant Effects of a Pomegranate-Peel Extract against Acrylamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The Acrylamide is a toxic compound generated under oxidative stress arising from intracellular ROS production and induced toxicity. It is frequently used in industry and generated through the heating of tobacco and foods high in carbohydrates. The exact mechanism of its toxicity is still unclear. In this study, an extract of the peels of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a nutritious and visually appealing fruit with a diverse bioactive profile, was examined for its potential anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups of 10 rats each: Group 1 was a negative-control group (CNT) and received normal saline; Group 2 was a positive-control acrylamide group and received acrylamide orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg/bw; in Group 3, the rats were supplemented with pomegranate-peel extract (P.P; 150 mg/kg/bw) orally on a daily basis for 3 weeks, administered simultaneously with the acrylamide treatment described for Group 2; Group 4 was a protective group, and the animals received the pomegranate-peel extract and acrylamide as stated for Groups 2 and 3, with the pomegranate-peel extract (P.P. extract) administered 1 week earlier than the acrylamide. The results indicate that acrylamide exposure increased the serum levels of AST, ALT, creatinine, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 in an extraordinary manner. In addition, it increased the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and simultaneously weakened antioxidant biomarker activities (SOD, GSH, and catalase) and reduced the levels of interleukin-10. The pomegranate-peel extract was shown to reduce the inflammatory blood markers of interleukin-1 beta and IL-6. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and interleukin-10 were all significantly elevated in comparison to the acrylamide-treatment group as a result of the significant reduction in MDA levels induced by the P.P extract. In addition, the pomegranate-peel extract normalized the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and caspase-3 levels, with a significant upregulation of the mRNA expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2), and Bcl-2. Therefore, these data reveal that pomegranate peel has anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, free-radical-scavenging, and powerful antioxidant activity that protects against acrylamide toxicity.

Harmful Consequences of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Male Fertility: An Evidence from Subchronic Toxicity Study of Esomeprazole and Lansoprazole in Wistar Rats

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently prescribed as gastric acid-suppressing agents. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence supporting the risk of detrimental effects of PPIs on male fertility. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of subchronic use of proton pump inhibitors on male fertility. Seventy adult male Wistar rats were assigned into seven groups. The normal control group orally received solvent only. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were orally given esomeprazole while groups 5, 6, and 7 received lansoprazole at 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively. After 45 days of treatment, blood samples, epididymis, and testis were collected. Sperm count, motility, and morphology were determined. The level of hormones such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) and oxidative status of testis tissue, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) were estimated. Results demonstrated a significant decline in sperm count, motility, morphology, testosterone, and catalase at 10 mg/kg/day and GSH at 2.5 mg/kg/day. A significant increase in FSH, LH, and MDA at 10 mg/kg/day and NO at 2.5 mg/kg/day was found as compared to the control group. The pathological alterations specifically dilation of Leydig cells, vacuolization, and degeneration of the seminiferous tubules were also evident. It is concluded that PPIs had caused male reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats due to altered levels of hormones such as testosterone, FSH, and LH, elevated levels of NO, and oxidative stress.

Potential protective effects of Spirulina platensis on liver, kidney, and brain acrylamide toxicity in rats

Acrylamide (AA) is a hazardous chemical that is widely used in industrial practices. Spirulina platensis (SP) is a blue green alga that is rich in bioactive compounds with many medicinal benefits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of SP against AA toxicity in rats. Animals were divided into six groups: Group (1) was normal rats, groups (2) and (3) received SP at 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW orally respectively for 21 days, group (4) was administered 20 mg/kg BW AA daily for 14 days, while groups (5) and (6) were given orally SP at the same doses of groups (2) and (3), then AA at similar dose of group (4). Rats that received AA alone displayed markedly increased serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), kidney function parameters (urea and creatinine), DNA damage marker (8-OHdG), and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), compared to control rats. Furthermore, tissue analysis revealed marked increases in hepatic, renal, and brain MDA and NO, as well as marked reductions in the antioxidant biomarkers (GSH, GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT) in acrylamide-intoxicated rats. Spirulina ameliorated the alterations in serum biochemical parameters and reduced MDA and NO, as well as improved antioxidant biomarkers in AA-intoxicated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Our results show that SP has a powerful protective effect on serum biochemistry and liver, kidney, and brain antioxidant machinery in AA-intoxicated rats.

Protective effect of seabuckthorn berry juice against acrylamide-induced oxidative damage in rats

Acrylamide (AA), classified as a probable carcinogen, can be neurotoxic, genotoxic, and can damage DNA. This study explored the ability of seabuckthorn berries juice (SBJ) to alleviate AA-induced toxic injury in rats. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, AA group (40 mg/kg), AA + SBJ (40 mg/kg AA and 5 mL/kg SBJ), and AA + vitamin C (VC) group (positive control group, 40 mg/kg AA and 100 mg/kg VC). At the end of the experiment, rats in AA group showed a marked decrease in the rate of weight gain, hind extremity abduction, and ataxia. Obvious anomalies were seen in plasma biochemical parameters (P < 0.05), and different degrees of injury were observed upon histological examination of five tissues (hippocampus, cerebellum, liver, small intestine, and kidney). Compared to the control group, levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione were significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde was elevated (P < 0.05). SBJ treatment reduced the abnormal of behavior, hematological index, antioxidant enzyme, and tissue damage caused by AA in rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Seabuckthorn berries are wild berries rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, which have good antioxidant properties. In this experiment, SBJ has a significant alleviating effect on AA-induced oxidative damage in rats. Therefore, we speculate that SBJ may relieve the oxidative damage caused by diet or other forms of AA exposure in the general population. At the same time, this experiment also provides new ideas for alleviating AA-induced in vivo toxicity.

Quercetin attenuated oxidative DNA damage through NRF2 signaling pathway in rats with DMH induced colon carcinogenesis

Accumulating recent studies have demonstrated the preventive and therapeutic effects of polyphonic compounds such as quercetin in colorectal cancer. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms for positive effects of quercetin in rats with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)- induced colorectal cancer. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were classified as 6 groups, including group 1 without any intervention, group 2 as quercetin received rats (50 mg/kg), groups 3 as DMH received rats (20 mg/kg) group 4-6 DMH and quercetin received rats. DNA damage, DNA repair, the expression levels and activities of enzymic antioxidants, non-enzymic antioxidants, and NRF2/Keap1 signaling were evaluated in colon tissues of all groups. Our results showed significant suppression of DNA damage and induction of DNA repair in DMH + Quercetin groups, particularly in entire-period in comparison to other groups (p < .05). The expression levels and activities of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were increased in DMH + Quercetin groups (p < .05). Lipid and protein peroxidation were significantly suppressed in DMH + Quercetin groups (p < .05). In addition, quercetin also modulated NRF2/Keap1 signaling and its targets, detoxifying enzymes in DMH + Quercetin groups. Our finding demonstrated that quercetin supplementation effectively reversed DMH-mediated oxidative stress and DNA damage through targeting NRF2/Keap1 signaling pathway.

Comparative effects of quercetin and hydroalcoholic extract of Otostegia persica boiss with atorvastatin on atherosclerosis complication in male wistar rats

The use of herbal remedies is significantly considered in the atherosclerosis treatment, reduction of fatty elements, and prevention of activity of oxidative stress factors. The present study was conducted on 48 rats in 6 groups. The experimental and sham groups were fed with 2% cholesterol for 40 days; and experimental groups were separately treated by atorvastatin, quercetin, and hydroalcoholic extract for 4 weeks. After treatment procedure, some serum factors such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. Serum levels of LDL, TC, MDA, and ROS were significantly lower in experimental groups than sham group (p < .01). There was a significant decrease in serum MDA levels of these two groups in comparison with the atorvastatin-treated group (p < .05). Blood pressure parameters were decreased in treated with quercetin and hydroalcoholic extract in comparison with the sham group (p < .05). Quercetin and hydroalcoholic extract similar to atorvastatin could decrease serum lipids [except high-density lipoprotein (HDL)], oxidative stress factors, aorta contraction, weight gain, and blood pressure. These reagents improved the vascular structure and prevented the plaque formation.

Effects of acrylamide on oxidant/antioxidant parameters and CYP2E1 expression in rat pancreatic endocrine cells

Oxidative stress is one of the principle mechanism of acrylamide-induced toxicity. Acrylamide is metabolized by cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) to glycidamide or by direct conjugation with glutathione. Bearing in mind that up to now the effects of acrylamide on oxidative stress status and CYP2E1 level in endocrine pancreas have not been studied we performed qualitative and quantitative immunohistochemical evaluation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), catalase (CAT) and CYP2E1 expression in islets of Langerhans of rats subchronically treated with 25 or 50mg/kg bw of acrylamide. Since the majority of cells (>80%) in rodent islets are beta cells, in parallel studies, we employed the Rin-5F beta cell line to examine effects of acrylamide on redox status and the activity of CAT, SOD and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), their gene expression, and CYP2E1, NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and iNOS expression. Immunohistochemically stained pancreatic sections revealed that acrylamide induced increase of iNOS and decrease of CYP2E1 protein expression, while expression of antioxidant enzymes was not significantly affected by acrylamide in islets of Langerhans. Analysis of Mallory-Azan stained pancreatic sections revealed increased diameter of blood vessels lumen in pancreatic islets of acrylamide-treated rats. Increase in the GST activity, lipid peroxidation and nitrite level, and decrease in GSH content, CAT and SOD activities was observed in acrylamide-exposed Rin-5F cells. Level of mRNA was increased for iNOS, SOD1 and SOD2, and decreased for GSTP1, Nrf2 and CYP2E1 in acrylamide-treated Rin-5F cells. This is the first report of the effects of acrylamide on oxidant/antioxidant parameters and CYP2E1 expression in pancreatic endocrine cells.

Metabonomics analysis of quercetin against the nephrotoxicity of acrylamide in rats

This research aimed at studying the effect of quercetin against the nephrotoxicity of acrylamide by metabonomics analysis of kidney tissue.

Serum Metabolomics Analysis of Quercetin against Acrylamide-Induced Toxicity in Rats

The current study aimed to investigate whether quercetin plays a protective role in acrylamide (AA)-induced toxicity using a metabolomics approach. Rats were randomly divided into groups as follows: control, treated with AA [5 mg/kg body weight (bw)], treated with different dosages of quercetin (10 and 50 mg/kg bw, respectively), and treated with two dosages of quercetin plus AA. After a 16 week treatment, rat serum was collected for metabolomics analysis. Biochemical tests and examination of liver histopathology were further conducted to verify metabolic alterations. Twelve metabolites were identified for which intensities were significantly changed (increased or reduced) as a result of the treatment. These metabolites included isorhamnetin, citric acid, pantothenic acid, isobutyryl-l-carnitine, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, sphingosine 1-phosphate, lysoPC(20:4), lysoPC(22:6), lysoPE(20:3), undecanedioic acid, and dodecanedioic acid. The results indicate that quercetin (50 mg/kg bw) exerts partial protective effects on AA-induced toxicity by reducing oxidative stress, protecting the mitochondria, and regulating lipid metabolism.