Evaluation of the protective effect of losartan in acetaminophen-induced liver and kidney damage in mice

Acetaminophen is widely used among humans as an antipyretic and analgesic. In this study, the protective effect of losartan in hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by acetaminophen in mice was investigated owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. An injection of a single dose of 500 mg/kg (i.p.) acetaminophen was administered to induce hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Groups VI-X. Losartan at doses of 1 mg/kg (Group VII), 3 mg/kg (Group VIII), and 10 mg/kg (Groups III, V, IX, and X) was injected intraperitoneally twice, at 1 and 12 h after the acetaminophen injection. Additionally, a 4 mg/kg dose of GW9662 (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) antagonist) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before the losartan injections in Groups V and X. At the end of 24 h, the mice were euthanized, and blood, liver, and kidney tissue samples were collected. Levels of AST, ALT, creatinine, and oxidative stress markers including TBARS, SOD, CAT, GPx, TAS, TOS, GSH, and GSSG, along with pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF-α, were measured using ELISA kits. Additionally, a histological evaluation of the tissue samples was performed. Acetaminophen causes increases in the levels of AST, ALT, creatinine, TBARS, TOS, GSSG, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF-α in serum, liver, and kidney tissue. Meanwhile, it led to a decrease in the levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, TAS, and GSH. Losartan injection reversed oxidative and inflammatory damage induced by acetaminophen. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissue were alleviated by losartan. The substance GW9662 increased the protective effect of losartan. In light of all the data obtained from our study, it can be said that losartan has a protective effect on liver and kidney damage induced by acetaminophen due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In terms of the study, losartan was found to be an alternative substance that could protect people from the harmful effects of acetaminophen.

Biofabrication of Hepatic Constructs by 3D Bioprinting of a Cell-Laden Thermogel: An Effective Tool to Assess Drug-Induced Hepatotoxic Response

A thermoresponsive Pluronic/alginate semisynthetic hydrogel is used to bioprint 3D hepatic constructs, with the aim to investigate liver-specific metabolic activity of the 3D constructs compared to traditional 2D adherent cultures. The bioprinting method relies on a bioinert hydrogel and is characterized by high-shape fidelity, mild depositing conditions and easily controllable gelation mechanism. Furthermore, the dissolution of the sacrificial Pluronic templating agent significantly ameliorates the diffusive properties of the printed hydrogel. The present findings demonstrate high viability and liver-specific metabolic activity, as assessed by synthesis of urea, albumin, and expression levels of the detoxifying CYP1A2 enzyme of cells embedded in the 3D hydrogel system. A markedly increased sensitivity to a well-known hepatotoxic drug (acetaminophen) is observed for cells in 3D constructs compared to 2D cultures. Therefore, the 3D model developed herein may represent an in vitro alternative to animal models for investigating drug-induced hepatotoxicity.