L-Carnitine ameliorates the liver by regulating alpha-SMA, iNOS, HSP90, HIF-1alpha, and RIP1 expressions of CCL4-toxic rats

Anti-nephrotoxic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficiency of Nigella sativa ethanolic extract against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Background

Exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induces acute and chronic kidney damage alongside oxidative stress in rats.

Aim

This study examines Nigella sativa ethanolic extract's (NEE) potential barriers against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity.

Methods

Wistar albino male rats weighing between 150 and 200 g were acclimatized and randomly divided into four groups, each comprising 10 animals. The control group consisted of healthy rats; the second group received oral administration of 200 mg/kg NEE for six weeks; the third group received intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg twice weekly for six weeks; and the fourth group received both oral NEE and CCl4.

Results

Results indicate that NEE significantly mitigated renal degeneration induced by CCl4, evidenced by notable reductions in creatinine, urea, urea nitrogen, uric acid, potassium, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, renal NO, MDA, and DNA fragmentation, coupled with substantial increases in kidney SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT levels. Additionally, CD4, Albumin, Sodium, Calcium, Immunohistochemistry, and Histopathological analyses revealed marked regenerative effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NEE exhibits anti-nephrotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, with a likely mediation by its antioxidant constituents. The radical scavenging activity, particularly the high phenolic content of its active component, suggests NEE's potential efficacy as a nephroprotective supplement.

Anti-nephrotoxic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficiency of Nigella sativa ethanolic extract against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Background

Exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induces acute and chronic kidney damage alongside oxidative stress in rats.

Aim

This study examines Nigella sativa ethanolic extract's (NEE) potential barriers against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity.

Methods

Wistar albino male rats weighing between 150 and 200 g were acclimatized and randomly divided into four groups, each comprising 10 animals. The control group consisted of healthy rats; the second group received oral administration of 200 mg/kg NEE for six weeks; the third group received intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg twice weekly for six weeks; and the fourth group received both oral NEE and CCl4.

Results

Results indicate that NEE significantly mitigated renal degeneration induced by CCl4, evidenced by notable reductions in creatinine, urea, urea nitrogen, uric acid, potassium, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, renal NO, MDA, and DNA fragmentation, coupled with substantial increases in kidney SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT levels. Additionally, CD4, Albumin, Sodium, Calcium, Immunohistochemistry, and Histopathological analyses revealed marked regenerative effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NEE exhibits anti-nephrotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, with a likely mediation by its antioxidant constituents. The radical scavenging activity, particularly the high phenolic content of its active component, suggests NEE's potential efficacy as a nephroprotective supplement.

Structure Modification Converts the Hepatotoxic Tacrine into Novel Hepatoprotective Analogs

The liver is responsible for critical functions such as metabolism, secretion, storage, detoxification, and the excretion of various compounds. However, there is currently no approved drug treatment for liver fibrosis. Hence, this study aimed to explore the potential hepatoprotective effects of chlorinated and nonchlorinated 4-phenyl-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives. Originally developed as tacrine analogs with reduced hepatotoxicity, these compounds not only lacked hepatotoxicity but also displayed a remarkable hepatoprotective effect. Treatment with these derivatives notably prevented the chemically induced elevation of hepatic indicators associated with liver injury. Additionally, the compounds restored the activities of defense antioxidant enzymes as well as levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6), apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bcl2), and fibrogenic mediators (α-SMA and TGF-β) to normal levels. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of tetrahydroquinolines. Furthermore, computer-assisted simulation docking results were highly consistent with those of the observed in vivo activities. In conclusion, the designed tacrine analogs exhibited a hepatoprotective role in acute liver damage, possibly through their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects.

The beneficial effects of l-carnitine and infliximab in methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity: Emphasis on Notch1/Hes-1 signaling

Methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatotoxicity is a serious adverse effect that may limit its use. Therefore, eligible drugs to ameliorate MTX-induced hepatotoxicity are required. l-Carnitine (LC) is a natural molecule with beneficial metabolic effects and infliximab (INF) is an anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Recently, Notch1/Hes-1 signaling was found to play a key role in the pathogenesis of liver injury. However, its role in MTX-induced hepatotoxicity is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of LC or INF on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity and to explore the underlying mechanism with emphasis on the Notch1/Hes-1 signaling pathway. Sixty rats were randomized into six groups (n = 10): (1) control (saline); (2) MTX (20 mg/kg MTX, intraperitoneal [ip], once); (3) LC group (500 mg/kg ip, 5 days); (4) INF (7 mg/kg INF ip, once); (5) MTX+LC (20 mg/kg ip, once, 500 mg/kg ip, 5 days, respectively); (6) MTX+INF (20 mg/kg ip, once, 7 mg/kg INF ip, once, respectively). Oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and Notch1/Hes-1 were investigated. MTX induced the expression of Notch1 and Hes-1 proteins and increased the levels of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in the liver. Cotreatment with LC or INF showed apparent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Interestingly, the downregulation of Notch1 and Hes-1 expression was more prominent in LC cotreatment as compared with INF. In conclusion, LC or INF attenuates MTX-induced hepatotoxicity through modulation of Notch1/Hes-1 signaling. The LC ameliorative effect against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity is significantly better than that of INF. Therefore, LC cotreatment may present a safe and therapeutically effective therapy in alleviating MTX-induced hepatotoxicity.

Mitigating effect of L-carnitine against atrazine-induced hepatotoxicity: histopathological and biochemical analyses in albino rats

Atrazine (ATR) is an extensively used herbicide that is often found in drinking water and waterways. After metabolization and excretion in the liver, ATR residues or its metabolites were found in tissues causing harmful effects mainly to the endocrine system and liver. This study aimed to elucidate the toxic impact of ATR on the liver and possible ameliorative effects of L-carnitine (LC). It utilized 30 adult male albino rats divided into three equal groups; the control group received 0.5 cc distilled water orally for 14 days, an ATR-treated group received ATR in a dose of 400 mg/kg BW dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days, and a protected group (ATR + LC) received 400 mg/kg BW of ATR dissolved in distilled water, plus 100 mg/kg LC dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the liver tissue was prepared for histological and biochemical analyses and showed significant elevation of liver enzymes and oxidative parameters, altered expression of apoptotic and antiapoptotic genes, and hepatic degenerative changes in the ATR-treated group. In conclusion, atrazine induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the liver of rats, and these toxic effects can be alleviated by L-carnitine.

Role of Cytokines on the Progression of Liver Fibrosis in Mice Infected with Echinococcus multilocularis

Background

Liver fibrosis is a significant pathological change of Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) infection. This study aimed to explore the role of cytokines on the progression of liver fibrosis in mice infected with E. multilocularis.

Methods

Liver histopathological features at 2, 8, 30, 90 and 180 d were quantified by inflammatory severity score. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, fibrosis-related cytokines and hepatic cell apoptosis were measured using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Results

At the early stage of infection, parasite stimulation triggers the rapid recruitment of immune cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils. These infiltrated immune cells then produce a large number of cytokines, such as iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), a pro-inflammatory cytokine; TGF-β (transforming growth factor) activated HSCs (hepatic stellate cells) to promote the proliferation of fibroblasts and secretion of ECM (extracellular matrix); MMP9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9) degraded basal ECM and facilitated its replacement by a highly dense interstitial matrix. At the middle and late stages of infection, the expression of IL-10 (interleukin-10) with general inhibitory effect was increased. The imbalance of fiber formation and degradation aggravated liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, the whole process of E. multilocularis infection was accompanied by the necrosis and apoptosis of hepatic cells.

Conclusion

Along with the expansion of parasitic infection, dynamic changes in cytokine expression were observed on the liver fibrosis progression, which is helpful to provide some new ideas for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis in mice infected with E. multilocularis.