Vitamin B12 supplement alleviates N'-nitrosodimethylamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

The Protective Effects of Vitamin B Complex on Diclofenac Sodium-Induced Nephrotoxicity: The Role of NOX4/RhoA/ROCK

Diclofenac sodium (DIC) is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Unfortunately, its prolonged use is associated with nephrotoxicity due to oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the nephroprotective effects of vitamin B complex (B1, B6, B12) against DIC-induced nephrotoxicity and its impact on NOX4/RhoA/ROCK, a pathway that plays a vital role in renal pathophysiology. Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) normal control; (2) vitamin B complex (16 mg/kg B1, 16 mg/kg B6, 0.16 mg/kg B12, intraperitoneal); (3) DIC (10 mg/kg, intramuscular); and (4) DIC plus vitamin B complex group. After 14 days, the following were assayed: serum renal biomarkers (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, kidney injury molecule-1), oxidative stress, inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6), and fibrotic (transforming growth factor-β) markers as well as the protein levels of NOX4, RhoA, and ROCK. Structural changes, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis were detected using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome stains. Compared to DIC, vitamin B complex significantly decreased the renal function biomarkers, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and fibrotic cytokines. Glomerular and tubular damage, inflammatory infiltration, and excessive collagen accumulation were also reduced. Protein levels of NOX4, RhoA, and ROCK were significantly elevated by DIC, and this elevation was ameliorated by vitamin B complex. In conclusion, vitamin B complex administration could be a renoprotective approach during treatment with DIC via, at least in part, suppressing the NOX4/RhoA/ROCK pathway.

The Prophylactic Effect of Vitamin C and Vitamin B12 against Ultraviolet-C-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats

Ultraviolet C (UVC) devices are an effective means of disinfecting surfaces and protecting medical tools against various microbes, including coronavirus. Overexposure to UVC can induce oxidative stress, damage the genetic material, and harm biological systems. This study investigated the prophylactic efficacy of vitamin C and B12 against hepatotoxicity in UVC-intoxicated rats. Rats were irradiated with UVC (725.76, 967.68, and 1048.36 J/cm²) for 2 weeks. The rats were pretreated with the aforementioned antioxidants for two months before UVC irradiation. The prophylactic effect of vitamins against UVC hepatotoxicity was evaluated by monitoring the alteration of liver enzyme activities, antioxidant status, apoptotic and inflammatory markers, DNA fragmentation, and histological and ultrastructural alterations. Rats exposed to UVC showed a significant increase in liver enzymes, oxidant-antioxidant balance disruption, and increased hepatic inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, and IDO-1). Additionally, obvious over-expression of activated caspase-3 protein and DNA fragmentation were detected. Histological and ultrastructural examinations verified the biochemical findings. Co-treatment with vitamins ameliorated the deviated parameters to variable degrees. In conclusion, vitamin C could alleviate UVC-induced hepatotoxicity more than vitamin B12 by diminishing oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. This study could provide a reference for the clinical practice of vitamin C and B12 as radioprotective for workers in UVC disinfectant areas.

Design and optimization of cranberry extract loaded bile salt augmented liposomes for targeting of MCP-1/STAT3/VEGF signaling pathway in DMN-intoxicated liver in rats

Cranberry extract (CBE) is a major source of the antioxidant polyphenolics but suffers from limited bioavailability. The goal of this research was to encapsulate the nutraceutical (CBE), into bile salt augmented liposomes (BSALs) as a promising oral delivery system to potentiate its hepatoprotective impact against dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) induced liver injury in rats. The inclusion of bile salt in the liposomal structure can enhance their stability within the gastrointestinal tract and promote CBE permeability. CBE loaded BSALs formulations were fabricated utilizing a (2³) factorial design to explore the impact of phospholipid type (X₁), phospholipid amount (X₂), and sodium glycocholate (SGC) amount (X₃) on BSALs properties, namely; entrapment efficiency percent, (EE%); vesicle size, (VS); polydispersity index; (PDI); zeta potential, (ZP); and release efficiency percent, (RE%). The optimum formulation (F1) exhibited spherical vesicles with EE% of 71.27 ± 0.32%, VS; 148.60 ± 6.46 nm, PDI; 0.38 ± 0.02, ZP; −18.27 ± 0.67 mV and RE%; 61.96 ± 1.07%. Compared to CBE solution, F1 had attenuated DMN-induced hepatic injury, as evidenced by the significant decrease in serum level of ALT, AST, ALP, MDA, and elevation of GSH level, as well as SOD and GPX activities. Furthermore, F1 exhibited an anti-inflammatory character by suppressing TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6, as well as downregulation of VEGF-C, STAT-3, and IFN-γ mRNA levels. This study verified that when CBE was integrated into BSALs, F1, its hepatoprotective effect was significantly potentiated to protect the liver against DMN-induced damage. Therefore, F1 could be deliberated as an antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antifibrotic therapy to slow down the progression of hepatic damage.

Cyanocobalamin and/or calcitriol mitigate renal damage-mediated by tamoxifen in rats: Implication of caspase-3/NF-κB signaling pathways

AIM

Tamoxifen (TAMO) is a chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of breast cancer. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information available in regarding its nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this work was to investigate the impact of cyanocobalamin (COB) and/or calcitriol (CAL) injections on TAMO-induced nephrotoxicity.

MAIN METHODS

Animals were allocated into five groups as follows: normal control group; TAMO (45 mg/kg) administered group; TAMO+COB (6mg/kg, i.p) treated group; TAMO+CAL (0.3 μg/kg, i.p) treated group; TAMO+COB+CAL combination groups.

KEY FINDINGS

Renal injury induced by TAMO was confirmed by the alteration in renal function parameters in the serum (urea and creatinine), as well as in the urine (creatinine clearance, total protein and albumin). These results were supported by histopathological examination. Upregulation of renal inflammatory parameters; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP); and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 as well as in protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and cleaved caspase-3 were observed to a greater extent in the TAMO-treated rats compared with the control. Renal fibrosis was also evidenced by a elevation in renal L-hydroxyproline level as well as by histomorphological collagen deposition in TAMO-treated groups compared to the control group. Administration of COB and/or CAL concurrently with TAMO significantly ameliorated the deviation in the above-studied parameters and improved the histopathological renal picture.

SIGNIFICANCE

Inhibition of NF-κβ-mediated inflammation and caspase-3-induced apoptosis are possible renoprotective mechanisms of COB and/or CAL against TAMO nephrotoxicity, which was more noticeable in the TAMO group treated with the combination of the two vitamins in question.

Dietary modulations of folic acid affect the development of diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in a rat model

The present study evaluated the role of dietary folate modulations in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a rat model. Male Wistar rats were given diethylnitrosamine (DEN) carcinogen for a period of 18 weeks in addition to different folate modulations. Biochemical parameters were assayed and liver tissues were examined using various histopathological stains viz. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for arginase-1 and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Serum folate and hepatic folate stores were decreased and increased in folate deficiency (FD) and folate oversupplemented (FO) group respectively. Analysis of serum liver function tests revealed deranged liver functioning in all the groups. H&E staining of rat liver demonstrated vague nodularity from 2nd to 8th week, fibrosis from 10th to 15th week, cirrhosis and HCC from 16th to 18th week. Combining the observations of H&E with IHC for arginase-1, 14 (50%), 11 (39.3%) and 17 (58.6%) rats showed HCC positivity in FN (folate normal), FD and FO diets respectively. IHC for α-SMA depicted increased staining with progression of the disease from fibrosis to cirrhosis in all the dietary groups. Collectively, findings of all the histopathological stains, revealed increase in the number of cirrhotic cases and decrease in the number of HCC cases in FD group, indicating delayed progression of HCC with FD. Moreover, FO led to more number of HCC and reduction in the number of cirrhotic cases, signifying early progression of HCC.

CYP3A4 inducer aggravates big flower Evodiae Fructus-induced hepatotoxicity whereas limonin attenuates its hepatotoxicity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Evodiae Fructus (EF), the traditional Chinese medicine, has been typically used to treat headache, abdominal pain, hernias, and menorrhagia for thousands of years. It is a mild toxicity herb-medicine listed in Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic. Recently, EF was reported to have toxicity or no toxicity in some investigations. Toxicity and approaches to reducing toxicity of EF are of great interest. Limonin (LIM), a major triterpenoid component of EF, also had various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. However, little attention was paid to the role of LIM in EF-induced hepatotoxicity.

AIM OF STUDY

The study aimed to address the problem of controversial hepatotoxicity of EF, evaluate the role of CYP3A4 inducer/inhibitor in EF-induced hepatotoxicity and disclose the effect of LIM in EF-induced hepatotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical compositions and hepatotoxicity of small flower EF (SEF), medium flower EF (MEF), big flower EF (BEF) and the "organ knock-out" samples (the shell and seed part of BEF) were investigated. Simultaneously, C57BL-6 mice were randomly divided into four groups, which were given orally administered BEF, BEF in combination with dexamethasone (DEX), BEF in combination with ketoconazole (KTC), and BEF in combination with LIM, respectively.

RESULTS

In this study, more alkaloids and less LIM were detected in BEF compared with the compounds in SEF and MEF. Furthermore, we found that BEF group induced hepatotoxicity whereas no hepatotoxicity was observed in SEF and MEF groups. In addition, no LIM was detected in the shell part of BEF and five alkaloids were not detected in the seed part of BEF. Correspondingly, the shell part of BEF group induced hepatotoxicity whereas no hepatotoxicity was observed in the seed part of BEF group. It was also found that the BEF-induced hepatotoxicity was remarkably exacerbated when the mice were pretreated with DEX whereas the BEF-induced hepatotoxicity could be reversed by pretreatment with KTC or LIM.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results in this study, the misuse of BEF but not SEF and MEF could produce hepatotoxicity. The hepatotoxicity difference of different categories of EF might be associated with the relative contents of alkaloids and LIM. In addition, the results demonstrated that CYP3A4 inducer aggravated BEF-induced hepatotoxicity and LIM attenuated its hepatotoxicity.

COX-2/iNOS regulation during experimental hepatic injury and its mitigation by cloudy apple juice

A number of enzymes and transcription factors have been correlated with disease etiology. In this study, involvement of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible-nitric oxide synthase is examined during diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatic injury and cloudy apple juice (CAJ) supplementation. Liver injury was administered in rats by single dose of DEN (10 ml/kg bwt of 1% DEN), while 10 ml/kg bwt CAJ daily was given after 2 h of latency in DEN-treated animals for two weeks. CAJ was characterized by HPLC and subsequently examined for antioxidant power. During the course of treatment liver function, collagen (hydroxyproline), malondialdehyde, protein oxidation, antioxidant enzymes, ATPases, nitrite levels were investigated along with liver histopathology and electron microscopy. COX-2 and iNOS proteins were also localized in liver specimens. The results demonstrated rich polyphenols and antioxidant activity in CAJ. CAJ supplementation significantly restored liver biochemistry and anatomy as revealed by the refurbished investigated parameters. CAJ treatment also declined COX-2 and iNOS activities in injured animals. Electron microscopy demonstrated rejuvenated hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, RER, mitochondria and nucleus in CAJ supplemented animals. The novel outcomes of this study suggest that CAJ potentiates hepatoprotection by stimulating antioxidant power and regulating the COX-2 and iNOS proteins in the liver during experimental liver injury.

Antioxidative stress effects of vitamins C, E, and B12, and their combination can protect the liver against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

BACKGROUND

Several vitamins, including C, E, and B12, have been recognized as antioxidants and have shown hepatoprotective effects against the hepatotoxicity caused by acetaminophen (APAP) overdose. The current investigation aims to study the effect of these vitamins and their combination in protecting the liver from APAP hepatotoxicity in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An in vitro model of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes was utilized for assessing hepatocyte mitochondrial activity conducted by cell proliferation assay (MTT). The isolated hepatocytes were treated with vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and their combination, with and without further addition of toxic concentrations of APAP. In addition, an in vivo experiment was carried out on Sprague Dawley rats treated intraperitoneally for 8 days with emulsions of the vitamins or their combination prior to injecting them with APAP.

RESULTS

In vitro results showed that vitamins C and B and the combination preparation significantly increased the percentage of hepatocyte mitochondrial activity, both with and without the addition of APAP (P<0.01). The mitochondrial activity in the isolated cultured hepatocytes was further enhanced with APAP addition. In vivo, the vitamins and their combination effectively reduced APAP-induced serum liver enzymes levels, namely ALT, AST, and ALP, and also attenuated oxidative stress and lipids peroxidation confirmed by the results of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and maloondialdehyde.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment with vitamins C, E, B12, or their combination was found to be beneficial in preventing in vivo hepatic oxidative stress induced by APAP overdose. Vitamin C on its own showed superior protection against APAP-induced liver injury in rats compared to the other vitamins. The proliferation of APAP-intoxicated liver cells in vitro was highest when protected with the vitamins' combination.

Mesalazine, an osteopontin inhibitor: The potential prophylactic and remedial roles in induced liver fibrosis in rats

Liver fibrosis is a major health issue leading to high morbidity and mortality. The potential anti-fibrotic activity and the effect of mesalazine on osteopontin (OPN), an extra cellular matrix (ECM) component were evaluated in TAA-induced liver fibrosis in rats. For this purpose, forty-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. All animals, except the normal control, were intraperitoneally injected with TAA (200 mg/kg) twice per week for 6 weeks. In the hepato-protective study, animals were administered mesalazine (50 and 100 mg/kg, orally) for 4 weeks before induction of liver fibrosis then concomitantly with TAA injection. In the hepato-therapeutic study, animals were administered mesalazine for 6 weeks after TAA discontinuation with the same doses. In both studies, mesalazine administration improved liver biomarkers through decreasing serum levels of AST, ALT and total bilirubin when compared to fibrotic group with significant increase in total protein and albumin levels. Mesalazine significantly decreased hepatic MDA level and counteracted the depletion of hepatic GSH content and SOD activity. Additionally, it limits the elevation of OPN and TGF-β1 concentrations and suppressed TNF-α as well as α-SMA levels in hepatic tissue homogenate. Histopathologically, mesalazine as a treatment showed a good restoration of the hepatic parenchymal cells with an obvious decreased intensity and retraction of fibrous proliferation, while as a prophylaxis it didn't achieve enough protection against the harmful effect of TAA, although it decreased the intensity of portal to portal fibrosis and pseudolobulation. Furthermore, mesalazine could suppress the expression of both α-SMA and caspase-3 in immunohistochemical sections. In conclusion, mesalazine could have a potential new indication as anti-fibrotic agent through limiting the oxidative damage and altering TNF-ɑ pathway as an anti-inflammatory drug with down-regulating TGF-β1, OPN, α-SMA and caspase-3 signaling pathways.

Influence of resveratrol on liver fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine in male rats

Liver fibrosis is a significant health problem which represents the liver’s scarring process and response to injury through deposition of collagen and extracellular matrix, and ultimately leads to cirrhosis. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phytoalexin found predominantly in grapes. This study aimed to investigate the antifibrotic role of resveratrol on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Rats were divided into four groups and treated for three weeks; control, resveratrol administered orally (20 mg/kg daily), DMN intraperitoneally injected (10 mg/kg 3 days/week), and the last group was pre-treated daily with resveratrol then injected with DMN, 3 days/week. DMN administration induced severe liver pathological alterations. However, oral administration of resveratrol before DMN significantly prevented the induced loss in body weight, as well as the increase in liver weight which arise from DMN administration. Resveratrol has also inhibited the elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin levels. Furthermore, resveratrol significantly increased hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) due to its antioxidants effect as well as increased serum protein levels. In addition, DMN induced elevation in hydroxyproline content. On the other hand, hydroxyproline level was significantly reduced in the resveratrol pretreated rats. Resveratrol has also remarkably maintained the normal liver lobular architecture. Moreover, resveratrol had displayed potent potentials to prevent collagen deposition, lymphocytic infiltration, necrosis, steatosis, vascular damage, blood hypertention, cholangiocyte proliferation. It can be concluded that resveratrol has a marked protective role on DMN-induced liver fibrosis in rats, and can be considered as antiproliferative, antihypertensive, as well as antifibrotic agent and may be used to block the development of liver fibrosis.

Resveratrol mitigate structural changes and hepatic stellate cell activation in N'-nitrosodimethylamine-induced liver fibrosis via restraining oxidative damage

Resveratrol, a polyphenol, found in skin of red grapes, peanuts and berries possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and lipid modulation properties. Here, we demonstrate in vivo antifibrotic activity of resveratrol in a mammalian model, wherein hepatic fibrosis was induced by N'-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) administration. Apart from being a potent hepatotoxin, NDMA is a known mutagen and carcinogen, as well. To induce hepatic fibrosis, rats were administered NDMA (i.p.) in 10mg/kgb.wt thrice/week for 21 days. Another group of animals received resveratrol supplement (10mg/kgb.wt) subsequent to NDMA administration and were sacrificed weekly. The changes in selected biomarkers were monitored to compare profibrotic effects of NDMA and antifibrotic activity of resveratrol. The selected biomarkers were: sera transaminases, ALP, bilirubin, liver glycogen, LPO, SOD, protein carbonyl content, ATPases (Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Na(+)/K(+)) and hydroxyproline/collagen content. Alterations in liver architecture were assessed by H&E, Masson's trichrome and reticulin staining of liver biopsies. Immuno-histochemistry and immunoblotting were employed to examine expression of α-SMA. Our results demonstrate that during NDMA-induced liver fibrosis transaminases, ALP, bilirubin, hydroxyproline and liver collagen increases, while liver glycogen is depleted. The decline in SOD (>65%) and ATPases, which were concomitant with the elevation in MDA and protein carbonyls, strongly indicate oxidative damage. Fibrotic transformation of liver in NDMA-treated rats was verified by histopathology, immuno-histochemistry and immunoblotting data, with the higher expressivity of α-SMA-positive HSCs being most established diagnostic immuno-histochemical marker of HSCs. Resveratrol-supplement refurbished liver architecture by significantly restoring levels of biomarkers of oxidative damage (MDA, SOD, protein carbonyls and membrane-bound ATPases). Therefore, we conclude that antifibrotic effect of resveratrol is due to restrained oxidative damage and down-regulation of α-SMA, which inhibits HSC activation to obstruct liver fibrosis.