Histopathology and oxidative stress analysis of concomitant misoprostol and celecoxib administration

Misoprostol ameliorates doxorubicin induced cardiac damage by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats

We investigated the potential cardioprotective effects of misoprostol (MP) on doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiac damage using histologic and biochemical assessment of rat heart. We used 21 male rats divided randomly into three groups: group 1, control; group 2, DOX; group 3, DOX + MP. The control group was given 0.5 ml 0.9% NaCl intraperitoneally (i.p.) and 1 ml 0.9% NaCl orally for 6 days. DOX was administered as a single dose of 20 mg/kg i.p. on day 3. MP was administered orally for 6 days. We found that treatment with MP decreased significantly serum cardiac troponin-I, brain natriuretic peptide levels, and lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB activities. DOX increased the malondialdehyde level and decreased the catalase, superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione levels; MP prevented these alterations. MP also decreased NADPH oxidase-4 and caspase-3 levels. In the DOX + MP group, oxidative stress was decreased, antioxidant activity was increased and histopathological changes were decreased compared to the DOX group. Cardiac damage caused by DOX was attenuated by MP treatment owing to the antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects of MP. MP may be useful for reducing the severity of DOX induced damage.

The protective effect of misoprostol against doxorubicin induced liver injury

We investigated the potential hepatoprotective effects of misoprostol (MP) on doxorubicin (DOX) induced liver injury in rats using histology and biochemistry. We used 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided randomly into three groups: group 1, control; group 2, DOX; group 3, DOX + MP. The control group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.5 ml 0.9% w/v NaCl and given 1 ml 0.9% NaCl orally for 6 days. DOX was administered i.p. as a single dose of 20 mg/kg. MP, 0.2 mg/kg, was given orally for 6 days. Treatment with MP increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels significantly in serum. Increased malondialdehyde level and decreased catalase, glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels caused by DOX were suppressed significantly in liver tissue by MP. DOX + MP reduced loss of body weight. Oxidative stress was decreased, antioxidant activity was increased and histopathological changes were reduced in the DOX + MP group compared to the DOX group. Liver injury caused by DOX was attenuated by MP treatment owing to the antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects of MP, which might be useful for reducing the severity of DOX induced liver injury.

Potential antitumor activity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in experimental animals

OBJECTIVES

Although there is evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (e.g., celecoxib [Cxb]) can reduce the occurrence of cancer, the precise mechanism remains under study. The current study aimed to investigate the possible antitumor activity of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on solid tumors, its effect on antioxidant status, and ability to prevent angiogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Solid carcinomas were induced in female Swiss albino mice. Fifty adult female mice were randomly selected and categorized into five groups. The effects of Cxb on hepatic oxidative parameters and the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) were investigated in parallel to liver histopathological examinations. Biochemical measurements of hepatic malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, hepatic catalase (CAT) activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated in liver homogenates prepared from mice in each study group.

RESULTS

The induction of solid tumors in female albino mice was associated with a significant elevation in hepatic lipid peroxidation, whereas the activity of antioxidant enzyme NSAID and CAT was significantly decreased. The level of reduced GSH was decreased. Serum levels of VEGF were significantly increased in tumor-bearing mice compared with normal control mice. These changes were ameliorated when mice were treated with Cxb either before or after the induction of tumors. Antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased, and the serum level of VEGF was significantly reduced compared with the levels in tumor-bearing mice.

CONCLUSION

Cxb exerts antitumor activity through antioxidative and antiangiogenic activities.