Ceftriaxone and selenium mitigate seizures and neuronal injury in pentylenetetrazole-kindled rats: Oxidative stress and inflammatory pathway

Epilepsy is one of the most serious worldwide neurological disorders that lead to the cognitive-psychosocial insults in recurrent seizures. About one third of the patients are drug-resistant, so innovative drugs are needed to manage seizures to improve the quality of life. Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic that increases the expression of glutamate transporters-1 and improves the neurobehavioral effects caused by increased glutamate level in the CNS. Selenium is well known antioxidant. The present study aimed to investigate ceftriaxone and selenium therapeutic effects against epilepsy in rats. Epilepsy was induced by PTZ given at a dose (50 mg/kg I.P) on alternative days for 13 days. Eighty rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: Group1-2; normal and vehicle control, Group 3; PTZ group, Group 4-8; kindled rats received selenium, ceftriaxone100, ceftriaxone200, selenium + ceftriaxone100 and selenium + ceftriaxone200 mg/kg/day respectively for a week. At the end of the study, behavioral tests were performed. Oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, neurotransmitters and GLT-1 were measured in brain tissue homogenate. Brain histopathological investigation was also done. PTZ-kindled rats exhibited increased Racine score, besides behavioral tests and histopathological changes, significant elevation in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, with decrease in serotonin, dopamine, GABA levels and GLT-1 expressions. Selenium and Ceftriaxone alone or combined treatment decreased Racine score with remarkable improvement in behavioral and histopathological changes. The antioxidant enzymes, neurotransmitters and GLT-1 expressions were increased, along with reduced TNF-α, IL-1 levels. Current study showed that selenium + ceftriaxone100 group represents a possible approach to improve epilepsy particularly through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.

Protective Effects of Crocin Against Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats: Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Biochemical Study

BACKGROUND

Among the many known adverse effects of methotrexate (MTX), hepatotoxicity stands out as a major drawback that limits its therapeutic applicability. There is growing evidence that crocin has antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study's aim is to evaluate the potential protective effect of crocin against MTX-induced liver damage in rats using biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses.

METHODS

Twenty-four adult male albino rats were split into four groups at random (six rats/group) as follows: normal control (saline, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections), crocin-treated (100 mg/kg daily for 14 days, i.p.), MTX-treated (20 mg/kg single i.p. injection on day 15), and crocin/MTX-treated groups (crocin 100 mg/kg/day for 14 days, i.p. + MTX 20 mg/kg single i.p. injection on day 15). On day 16 of the experiment, blood and tissue specimens were used to assess the liver functions, oxidative stress markers, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), caspase-3, BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) expression.

RESULTS

The results of the current research revealed the protective actions of crocin against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. Our results showed that crocin possesses antioxidants (decrease malondialdehyde (MDA), increase glutathione (GSH) levels, and enhance catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity), anti-fibrotic (decrease TGF-β1), and anti-apoptotic (decrease BAX and caspase-3 expression while increase BCL-2) actions in liver. Moreover, crocin administration along with MTX restores the normal histological structure of hepatic tissues.

CONCLUSION

 The data presented in the current study using an in vivo animal model support the notion that crocin should be further studied in humans to assess its potential hepatoprotective effects against MTX-induced liver damage.

Lycopene is superior to moringa in improving fertility markers in diet-induced obesity male rats

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Obesity contributes to male infertility.

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Can lycopene or moringa improve male infertility?

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Tested in a rodent model of diet-induced obesity.

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Lycopene was superior to Moringa in improving male fertility parameters.

Obesity is a condition of chronic tissue inflammation and oxidative stress that poses as a risk factor for male infertility. Moringa oleifera oil extract is known to have cholesterol-lowering properties and a potential to treat obesity, while lycopene is a potent antioxidant. We hypothesize that Moringa or lycopene may improve male fertility markers in an animal model of diet-induced obesity. Male Albino rats (n = 60) were randomized to receive regular chow (RC) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks (n = 30 each). Animals in each arm were further randomized to receive gavage treatment with corn oil (vehicle), lycopene (10 mg/kg), or Moringa (400 mg/kg) for four weeks starting on week 9 (n = 10 each). Animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks, and blood was collected to assess lipid profile, serum testosterone, and gonadotropin levels. The testes and epididymides were removed for sperm analysis, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and histopathological assessment. In comparison to their RC littermates, animals on HFD showed an increase in body weights, serum lipids, testosterone and gonadotrophin levels, testicular oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, as well as sperm abnormalities and disrupted testicular histology. Moringa or lycopene reduced body weight, improved oxidative stress, and male fertility markers in HFD-fed animals with lycopene exhibiting better anti-antioxidant and anti-lipidemic effects. Lycopene is superior to Moringa in improving male fertility parameters, possibly by attenuating oxidative stress.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Crocin Ameliorate Doxorubicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Doxorubicin is a drug that belongs to the anthracycline antibiotics. Nephrotoxicity is one of the serious side effects of doxorubicin treatment. Crocin, which is one of the most bioactive components of saffron, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. The current study was aimed at investigating the possible protective effects of crocin against doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity to elucidate the underlying mechanism of this effect. The study included four groups, six rats in each group: normal control, crocin control, doxorubicin, and crocin/doxorubicin. Doxorubicin and crocin/doxorubicin groups received intraperitoneal injections of doxorubicin (3.5 mg/kg twice weekly for 3 weeks). Rats in the crocin control group and the crocin/doxorubicin group were treated with intraperitoneal injections of crocin (100 mg/kg body weight per day) for 3 weeks. Biomarkers of kidney function and oxidative stress as well as the abundance of mRNA for nuclear factor-κβ and inducible nitric oxide synthase were evaluated. In addition, the abundance of cyclooxygenase 2 and tumor necrosis factor α immunoreactivity was evaluated. Crocin treatment had renoprotective effects manifested by significant improvement in kidney function as well as a reduction in the abundance of biomarkers of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory mediators. In conclusion, crocin has a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by serving as an antioxidant and attenuating the expression of NF-κB, iNOS, COX2, and TNFα.

Effect of Topical Application of Black Seed Oil on Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Lesions in the Thin Skin of Adult Male Albino Rats

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects about 1%-3% of the world's population. Black seed oil, i.e., the oil extracted from black seeds (Nigella sativa seeds), possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of black seed oil on imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis-like skin lesions. To this end, 30 male albino rats were divided into three groups: group I, control group; group II, psoriasis-induced group receiving daily topical applications of IMQ cream (5%) on the shaved back skin for 10 consecutive days; and group III, black seed oil group receiving a daily topical dose of black seed oil 5 mg/kg body weight for 10 days after induction of psoriasis. Animals of all groups were sacrificed and specimens obtained from the skin of the central part of the back were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). IMQ application led to epidermal inflammation, hyperplasia and alterations in the normal appearance of keratinocytes with degenerative changes observed at both light and electron microscopic levels. Collagenous fibers were abundant in the dermis and PCNA-positive cells were detected in all layers of the epidermis. However, topical use of black seed oil strongly inhibited IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation and alleviated all epidermal and dermal changes observed after IMQ application, allowing us to conclude that black seed oil can be used as an adjuvant topical therapy for treating psoriasis. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:166-174, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of Lycopene and Rosmarinic Acid on Gentamicin Induced Renal Cortical Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Autophagy in Adult Male Albino Rat

Gentamicin nephrotoxicity accounts for 10%-15% of all cases of acute renal failure. Several natural antioxidants were found to be effective against drug-induced toxicity. The possible protective effects of lycopene (Lyc) and rosmarinic acid (RA) alone or combined on gentamicin (Gen) induced renal cortical oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy were evaluated. Sixty-three rats were randomly divided into seven groups named: control, group II received RA 50 mg/kg/day, group III received Lyc 4 mg/kg/day, group IV received Gen 100 mg/kg/day, group V (RA + Gen), group VI (Lyc + Gen), and group VII (RA + Lyc + Gen). At the end of the experiment, kidney functions were estimated then the kidneys were sampled for histopathological, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical studies. Administration of rosmarinic acid and lycopene decreased elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax), autophagic marker protein (LC3/B), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by gentamicin. They increased reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). They also improved the histopathological changes induced by gentamicin. The combination therapy of rosmarinic acid and lycopene shows better protective effects than the corresponding monotherapy. Anat Rec, 300:1137-1149, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of Potassium Bromate on the Liver of Adult Male Albino Rat and A Possible Protective Role of Vitamin C: Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Biochemical Study

Potassium bromate (KBrO3 ) is a food additive which is used primarily as a maturing agent for flour. It is proved as a toxic agent with significant reduction in the activities of antioxidant capacity. The therapeutic efficacy of vitamin C as antioxidant may provide a possible solution to KBrO3 mediated oxidative damage. Twenty four adult male albino rats were used to evaluate the protective role of vitamin C against KBrO3 induced hepatotoxicity and divided into four groups; Group 1 (control), Group 2: received 30 mg/Kg/day vitamin C orally for 4 weeks, Group 3: received 20 mg/Kg/dose KBrO3 orally twice weekly for 4 weeks and Group 4: received both KBrO3 and vitamin C. Liver specimens were processed for histological study by light and electron microscopes and stained immunohistochemically to detect glial fibriller acidic protein (GFAP). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were estimated as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in all dissected tissues were determined. KBrO3 induced histological alterations in the form of degeneration, cellular infiltration and significant increase in collagen deposition in portal tracts with a significant increase in immunoexpression of GFAP. Significant rise in serum levels of AST, ALT, and MDA in liver tissues were recorded. However, levels of GSH and SOD were significantly decreased. Most of these changes were improved by vitamin C treatment. In conclusion, vitamin C ameliorates the histological and biochemical alterations of the liver induced by KBrO3 . Anat Rec, 299:1256-1269, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of MicroRNA-196a2 Variant with Response to Short-Acting β2-Agonist in COPD: An Egyptian Pilot Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial chronic respiratory disease, characterized by an obstructive pattern. Understanding the genetic predisposition of COPD is essential to develop personalized treatment regimens. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, non-coding RNAs that modulate the expression levels of specific proteins based on sequence complementarity with their target mRNA molecules. Emerging evidences demonstrated the potential use of miRNAs as a disease biomarker. This pilot study aimed to investigate the association of the MIR-196a2 rs11614913 (C/T) polymorphism with COPD susceptibility, the clinical outcome and bronchodilator response to short-acting β₂-agonist. Genotyping of rs11614913 polymorphism was determined in 108 COPD male patients and 116 unrelated controls using real-time polymerase chain reaction technology. In silico target prediction and network core analysis were performed. COPD patients did not show significant differences in the genotype distribution (p = 0.415) and allele frequencies (p = 0.306) of the studied miRNA when compared with controls. There were also no associations with GOLD stage, dyspnea grade, disease exacerbations, COPD assessment test for estimating impact on health status score, or the frequency of intensive care unit admission. However, COPD patients with CC genotype corresponded to the smallest bronchodilator response after Salbutamol inhalation, the heterozygotes (CT) had an intermediate response, while those with the TT genotype showed the highest response (p < 0.001). In conclusion MIR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism is associated with the bronchodilator response of COPD in our sample of the Egyptian population, generating hypothesis of the potential use of MIR-196a2 variant as a pharmacogenetic marker for COPD.

Remote effect of kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury on pancreas: role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have demonstrated remote effects of renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury on some organs such as brain, liver, and lungs. Oxidative stress is reported to be the cornerstone in such ischemic conditions. Associated apoptosis is also reported in remote lung, liver and myocardial injury after acute kidney injury. So, we postulated that renal IR may affect the pancreas by its remote effect. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial mediated apoptosis may play a crucial role in this injury. We investigated the effects of kidney IR on pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions, antioxidant enzyme activity, and apoptosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The protective effect of vitamin C was also investigated. The animals were submitted to non-traumatic bilateral renal IR, sham operation or treatment with vitamin C after IR. Rats were sacrificed on the 1(st), 3(rd), and 7(th) days of the experiment to evaluate the parameters of oxidative stress (catalase, lipid peroxidase, reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase), pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function (amylase, insulin and fasting blood glucose), renal functions (serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen), cellular injury and apoptotic markers (Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3).

RESULTS

Kidney I/R significantly increased the renal and pancreatic functions at 1, 3 and 7 days, while fasting insulin was significantly increased at day 3 after ischemia. Moreover, I/R significantly increased the studied oxidative stress markers and decreased the antioxidant capacity in pancreatic tissues. In addition, renal I/R induced numerous histopatological lesions in pancreatic tissues and increased the apoptosis-related genes. Treating the rats with vitamin C (100 mg/kg) significantly restored the renal and pancreatic functions, improved the pancreatic antioxidant capacity and protected the pancreatic tissues from apoptotic necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that bilateral renal ischemia for 45 min caused significant impairment of pancreatic function and structure as indicators of acute pancreatitis. While IR enhances oxidative stress and apoptosis, vitamin C appears to play a cytoprotective role.

Effect of pycnogenol and spirulina on vancomycin-induced renal cortical oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy in adult male albino rat

Vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity has been reported to occur in 5%-25% of patients who were administered with it. Several natural antioxidants were found to be effective against drug-induced toxicity. We evaluated the possible protective effects of spirulina and pycnogenol alone or in combination on vancomycin-induced renal cortical oxidative stress. Forty-nine rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: group I, control; group II, received spirulina 1000 mg/kg per day; group III, received pycnogenol 200 mg/kg per day; group IV, received vancomycin 200 mg/kg per day every 12 h; group V, (spirulina + vancomycin); group VI, (pycnogenol + vancomycin); and group VII, (pycnogenol + spirulina + vancomycin). At the end of the experiment, kidney functions were estimated and then the kidneys were removed, weighed, and sampled for histopathological, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical studies. Administration of spirulina and pycnogenol alone or in combination decreased elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde, and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax), autophagic marker protein (LC3/B), and inducible nitric oxide synthase induced by vancomycin. They increased reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). They also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by vancomycin. The combination therapy of spirulina and pycnogenol showed better protective effects than the corresponding monotherapy.