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Arab HH, Alsufyani SE, Ashour AM, Gad AM, Elhemiely AA, Gadelmawla MHA, Mahmoud MA, Khames A. Targeting JAK2/STAT3, NLRP3/Caspase-1, and PK2/PKR2 Pathways with Arbutin Ameliorates Lead Acetate-Induced Testicular Injury in Rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:909. [PMID: 39065759 PMCID: PMC11279748 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The reproductive system of males is adversely impacted by lead (Pb), a toxic heavy metal. The present study examined arbutin, a promising hydroquinone glycoside, for its potential ameliorative impact against Pb-induced testicular impairment in rats. The testicular injury was induced by the intraperitoneal administration of Pb acetate (20 mg/kg/day) for 10 consecutive days. Thirty-six rats were divided into six experimental groups (n = 6 per group): control, control treated with oral arbutin (250 mg/kg), control treated with intraperitoneal arbutin (75 mg/kg), untreated Pb, Pb treated with oral arbutin, and Pb treated with intraperitoneal arbutin. The treatments were administered daily for 10 days. Arbutin was administered by the oral and intraperitoneal routes to compare the efficacy of both routes in mitigating Pb acetate-induced testicular dysfunction. The current data revealed that both oral and intraperitoneal administration of arbutin significantly enhanced serum testosterone and sperm count/motility, indicating the amelioration of testicular dysfunction. In tandem, both routes lowered testicular histopathological aberrations and Johnsen's damage scores. These favorable outcomes were driven by dampening testicular oxidative stress, evidenced by lowered lipid peroxidation and increased glutathione and catalase antioxidants. Moreover, arbutin lowered testicular p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 levels, confirming the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 pro-inflammatory pathway. In tandem, arbutin suppressed the testicular NLRP3/caspase-1/NF-B axis and augmented the cytoprotective PK2/PKR2 pathway. Notably, intraperitoneal arbutin at a lower dose prompted a more pronounced mitigation of Pb-induced testicular dysfunction compared to oral administration. In conclusion, arbutin ameliorates Pb-evoked testicular damage by stimulating testicular antioxidants and the PK2/PKR2 pathway and inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 and NLRP3/caspase-1 pro-inflammatory pathways. Hence, arbutin may be used as an adjunct agent for mitigating Pb-induced testicular impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany H. Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shuruq E. Alsufyani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al Qura University, P.O. Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amany M. Gad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Kantara Branch, Ismailia 41636, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
| | - Alzahraa A. Elhemiely
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H. A. Gadelmawla
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Dentistry, Sinai University, Kantara Branch, Ismailia 41636, Egypt
| | - Marwa Ahmed Mahmoud
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82511, Egypt
| | - Ali Khames
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sohag University, Sohag 82511, Egypt
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Shao Y, Zheng L, Jiang Y. Cadmium toxicity and autophagy: a review. Biometals 2024; 37:609-629. [PMID: 38277035 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00581-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is an important environmental pollutant that poses a threat to human health and represents a critical component of air pollutants, food sources, and cigarette smoke. Cd is a known carcinogen and has toxic effects on the environment and various organs in humans. Heavy metals within an organism are difficult to biodegrade, and those that enter the respiratory tract are difficult to remove. Autophagy is a key mechanism for counteracting extracellular (microorganisms and foreign bodies) or intracellular (damaged organelles and proteins that cannot be degraded by the proteasome) stress and represents a self-protective mechanism for eukaryotes against heavy metal toxicity. Autophagy maintains cellular homeostasis by isolating and gathering information about foreign chemicals associated with other molecular events. However, autophagy may trigger cell death under certain pathological conditions, including cancer. Autophagy dysfunction is one of the main mechanisms underlying Cd-induced cytotoxicity. In this review, the toxic effects of Cd-induced autophagy on different human organ systems were evaluated, with a focus on hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, and neurotoxicity. This review also highlighted the classical molecular pathways of Cd-induced autophagy, including the ROS-dependent signaling pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway, Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 family, and recently identified molecules associated with Cd. Moreover, research directions for Cd toxicity regarding autophagic function were proposed. This review presents the latest theories to comprehensively reveal autophagy behavior in response to Cd toxicity and proposes novel potential autophagy-targeted prevention and treatment strategies for Cd toxicity and Cd-associated diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueting Shao
- Institute for Chemical Carcinogenesis, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Liting Zheng
- Institute for Chemical Carcinogenesis, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Yiguo Jiang
- Institute for Chemical Carcinogenesis, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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Arab HH, Eid AH, Alsufyani SE, Ashour AM, Alnefaie AM, Alsharif NM, Alshehri AM, Almalawi AA, Alsowat AA, Abd El Aal HA, Hassan ESG, Elesawy WH, Elhemiely AA. Activation of AMPK/mTOR-Driven Autophagy and Suppression of the HMGB1/TLR4 Pathway with Pentoxifylline Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:681. [PMID: 38931349 PMCID: PMC11206793 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite being an effective chemotherapeutic agent, the clinical use of doxorubicin (DOX) is limited by several organ toxicities including hepatic injury. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine derivative with marked anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic features. It is unknown, however, whether PTX can mitigate DOX-evoked hepatotoxicity. This study aims to explore the potential hepatoprotective impact of PTX in DOX-induced hepatic injury and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA were used to examine liver tissues. The current findings revealed that PTX administration to DOX-intoxicated rats mitigated the pathological manifestations of hepatic injury, reduced microscopical damage scores, and improved serum ALT and AST markers, revealing restored hepatic cellular integrity. These favorable effects were attributed to PTX's ability to mitigate inflammation by reducing hepatic IL-1β and TNF-α levels and suppressing the pro-inflammatory HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB axis. Moreover, PTX curtailed the hepatic apoptotic abnormalities by suppressing caspase 3 activity and lowering the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In tandem, PTX improved the defective autophagy events by lowering hepatic SQSTM-1/p62 accumulation and enhancing the AMPK/mTOR pathway, favoring autophagy and hepatic cell preservation. Together, for the first time, our findings demonstrate the ameliorative effect of PTX against DOX-evoked hepatotoxicity by dampening the hepatic HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pro-inflammatory axis and augmenting hepatic AMPK/mTOR-driven autophagy. Thus, PTX could be utilized as an adjunct agent with DOX regimens to mitigate DOX-induced hepatic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany H. Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed H. Eid
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
| | - Shuruq E. Alsufyani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al Qura University, P.O. Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Nasser M. Alsharif
- College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Hayat A. Abd El Aal
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
| | - Eman S. G. Hassan
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
| | - Wessam H. Elesawy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza 12568, Egypt
| | - Alzahraa A. Elhemiely
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
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Abdelhady R, Mohammed OA, Doghish AS, Hamad RS, Abdel-Reheim MA, Alamri MMS, Alharthi MH, Alfaifi J, Adam MIE, Alhalafi AH, Mohammed NA, Isa AI, Abdel-Ghany S, Attia MA, Elmorsy EA, Al-Noshokaty TM, Nomier Y, El-Dakroury WA, Saber S. Linagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, activates AMPK/FOXO3a and suppresses NFκB to mitigate the debilitating effects of diethylnitrosamine exposure in rat liver: Novel mechanistic insights. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23480. [PMID: 38354025 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302461rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulation of FOXO3a plays a significant role in the progression of various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). FOXO3a inactivation, driven by oncogenic stimuli, can lead to abnormal cell growth, suppression of apoptosis, and resistance to anticancer drugs. Therefore, FOXO3a emerges as a potential molecular target for the development of innovative treatments in the era of oncology. Linagliptin (LNGTN), a DPP-4 inhibitor known for its safe profile, has exhibited noteworthy anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties in previous in vivo studies. Several potential molecular mechanisms have been proposed to explain these effects. However, the capacity of LNGTN to activate FOXO3a through AMPK activation has not been investigated. In our investigation, we examined the potential repurposing of LNGTN as a hepatoprotective agent against diethylnitrosamine (DENA) intoxication. Additionally, we assessed LNGTN's impact on apoptosis and autophagy. Following a 10-week administration of DENA, the liver underwent damage marked by inflammation and early neoplastic alterations. Our study presents the first experimental evidence demonstrating that LNGTN can reinstate the aberrantly regulated FOXO3a activity by elevating the nuclear fraction of FOXO3a in comparison to the cytosolic fraction, subsequent to AMPK activation. Moreover, noteworthy inactivation of NFκB induced by LNGTN was observed. These effects culminated in the initiation of apoptosis, the activation of autophagy, and the manifestation of anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antiangiogenic outcomes. These effects were concomitant with improved liver function and microstructure. In conclusion, our findings open new avenues for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the AMPK/FOXO3a signaling pathway in the management of chronic liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Abdelhady
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
| | - Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Egypt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Egypt
| | - Rabab S Hamad
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Central Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Aldawadmi, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Mohannad Mohammad S Alamri
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muffarah Hamid Alharthi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaber Alfaifi
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Masoud I E Adam
- Department of Medical Education and Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Hassan Alhalafi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nahid A Mohammed
- Department of Physiology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adamu Imam Isa
- Department of Physiology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameh Abdel-Ghany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Attia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elsayed A Elmorsy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Yousra Nomier
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-khod, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Walaa A El-Dakroury
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Egypt
| | - Sameh Saber
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
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Arab HH, Eid AH, Alsufyani SE, Ashour AM, El-Sheikh AAK, Darwish HW, Sabry FM. Targeting Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Perturbations with Dapagliflozin Mitigates Cadmium-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3000. [PMID: 38002000 PMCID: PMC10669515 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline and Alzheimer-like neuropathology are common manifestations of cadmium toxicity. Thanks to its antioxidant/anti-apoptotic features, dapagliflozin has demonstrated promising neuroprotective actions. However, its effect on cadmium-induced neurotoxicity is lacking. The present work aimed to examine whether dapagliflozin could protect rats from cadmium-evoked cognitive decline. In this study, the behavioral disturbances and hippocampal biomolecular alterations were studied after receiving dapagliflozin. Herein, cadmium-induced memory/learning decline was rescued in the Morris water maze, novel object recognition task, and Y-shaped maze by dapagliflozin. Meanwhile, the hippocampal histopathological abnormalities were mitigated. The molecular mechanisms revealed that dapagliflozin lowered hippocampal expression of p-tau and Aβ42 neurotoxic proteins while augmenting acetylcholine. The cognitive enhancement was triggered by hippocampal autophagy stimulation, as indicated by decreased SQSTM-1/p62 and Beclin 1 upregulation. Meanwhile, a decrease in p-mTOR/total mTOR and an increase in p-AMPK/total AMPK ratio were observed in response to dapagliflozin, reflecting AMPK/mTOR cascade stimulation. Dapagliflozin, on the other hand, dampened the pro-apoptotic processes in the hippocampus by downregulating Bax, upregulating Bcl-2, and inactivating GSK-3β. The hippocampal oxidative insult was mitigated by dapagliflozin as seen by lipid peroxide lowering, antioxidants augmentation, and SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation. In conclusion, dapagliflozin's promising neuroprotection was triggered by its pro-autophagic, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany H. Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H. Eid
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt; (A.H.E.); (F.M.S.)
| | - Shuruq E. Alsufyani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahmed M. Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al Qura University, P.O. Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Azza A. K. El-Sheikh
- Basic Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hany W. Darwish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 11451, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Fatma M. Sabry
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt; (A.H.E.); (F.M.S.)
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Zheng S, Zhao N, Lin X, Qiu L. Impacts and potential mechanisms of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) on male testosterone biosynthesis disruption. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 0:reveh-2023-0064. [PMID: 37651650 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2023-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to PM2.5 is the most significant air pollutant for health risk. The testosterone level in male is vulnerable to environmental toxicants. In the past, researchers focused more attention on the impacts of PM2.5 on respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, and few researchers focused attention on the reproductive system. Recent studies have reported that PM2.5 involved in male testosterone biosynthesis disruption, which is closely associated with male reproductive health. However, the underlying mechanisms by which PM2.5 causes testosterone biosynthesis disruption are still not clear. To better understand its potential mechanisms, we based on the existing scientific publications to critically and comprehensively reviewed the role and potential mechanisms of PM2.5 that are participated in testosterone biosynthesis in male. In this review, we summarized the potential mechanisms of PM2.5 triggering the change of testosterone level in male, which involve in oxidative stress, inflammatory response, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy and mitophagy, microRNAs (miRNAs), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. It will provide new suggestions and ideas for prevention and treatment of testosterone biosynthesis disruption caused by PM2.5 for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaokai Zheng
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China
| | - Nannan Zhao
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojun Lin
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China
| | - Lianglin Qiu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China
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Arab HH, Eid AH, Alsufyani SE, Ashour AM, El-Sheikh AAK, Darwish HW, Georgy GS. Neuroprotective Impact of Linagliptin against Cadmium-Induced Cognitive Impairment and Neuropathological Aberrations: Targeting SIRT1/Nrf2 Axis, Apoptosis, and Autophagy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1065. [PMID: 37630980 PMCID: PMC10459587 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is an environmental contaminant associated with marked neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. Linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, has demonstrated promising neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia and diabetic dementia. However, there has been no study of its effect on cadmium-induced cognitive deficits. In the present work, linagliptin's prospective neuroprotective effects against cadmium-evoked cognitive decline were examined in vivo in rats. The molecular pathways related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy were investigated. Histology, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and biochemical assays were performed on brain hippocampi after receiving linagliptin (5 mg/kg/day). The current findings revealed that cadmium-induced learning and memory impairment were improved by linagliptin as seen in the Morris water maze, Y-maze, and novel object recognition test. Moreover, linagliptin lowered hippocampal neurodegeneration as seen in histopathology. At the molecular level, linagliptin curtailed hippocampal DPP-4 and augmented GLP-1 levels, triggering dampening of the hippocampal neurotoxic signals Aβ42 and p-tau in rats. Meanwhile, it enhanced hippocampal acetylcholine and GABA and diminished the glutamate spike. The behavioral recovery was associated with dampening of the hippocampal pro-oxidant response alongside SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 axis stimulation. Meanwhile, linagliptin counteracted hippocampal apoptosis markers and inhibited the pro-apoptotic kinase GSK-3β. In tandem, linagliptin activated hippocampal autophagy by lowering SQSTM-1/p62 accumulation, upregulating Beclin 1, and stimulating AMPK/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, linagliptin's antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and pro-autophagic properties advocated its promising neuroprotective impact. Thus, linagliptin may serve as a management approach against cadmium-induced cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany H. Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H. Eid
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt; (A.H.E.); (G.S.G.)
| | - Shuruq E. Alsufyani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahmed M. Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al Qura University, P.O. Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Azza A. K. El-Sheikh
- Basic Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hany W. Darwish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 11451, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Gehan S. Georgy
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)—Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt; (A.H.E.); (G.S.G.)
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