Renoprotective effect of thymoquinone against rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury in the rat model

Objectives

Rhabdomyolysis leads to the release of myoglobin, sarcoplasmic proteins, and electrolytes into the blood circulation causing acute kidney injury (AKI). Thymoquinone, a natural compound found in Nigella sativa seeds, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This investigation assessed the renoprotective effect of thymoquinone on rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI in rats.

Materials and Methods

Male Wistar rats were categorized into six groups (n = 6): 1. Control: (normal saline), 2. Glycerol (50 ml/kg, single dose, IM), 3-5: Glycerol + thymoquinone (1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, 4 days, IP), 6. Thymoquinone (5 mg/kg). On day 5, serum and kidney tissue were isolated and the amounts of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH.), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and pathological changes were evaluated.

Results

Glycerol increased creatinine, BUN, MDA, TNF-α, and NGAL levels. It decreased GSH amounts and caused renal tubular necrosis, glomerular atrophy, and myoglobin cast in kidney tissue. Co-administration of glycerol and thymoquinone reduced creatinine, BUN, histopathological alterations, and MDA levels, and enhanced GSH amounts. Administration of glycerol and thymoquinone (5 mg/kg) had no significant effect on TNF-α amount but decreased NGAL protein levels. The administration of thymoquinone (5 mg/kg) alone did not display a significant difference from the control group.

Conclusion

Rhabdomyolysis from glycerol injection in rats can cause kidney damage. Thymoquinone may attenuate renal dysfunction and oxidative stress. However, the TNF-α level was not significantly affected. Further studies are needed to explore the potential therapeutic effects of thymoquinone in managing AKI.

Trans-sodium crocetinate suppresses apoptotic and oxidative response following myoglobin-induced cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells

Objectives

Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is a serious fatal syndrome. The RM leads to acute kidney injury (AKI) as a fatal complication. The belief is that RM-induced AKI is triggered by myoglobin (MB). MB activates oxidative and apoptotic pathways. Trans-sodium crocetinate (TSC) is obtained from saffron. It has anti-oxidant and renoprotective effects. This research was designed to assess the mechanisms of MB-induced cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells) as well as the possible effects of TSC against MB-induced cytotoxicity.

Materials and Methods

HEK-293 cells were exposed to diverse concentrations of TSC (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 µM) for 24 hr. Then, MB (9 mg/ml) was added to the cells. After 24 hr, cell viability was measured through MTT, and the values of ROS generation were calculated using DCFH-DA assay. Also, autophagy and apoptosis markers in cells were assessed by western blot analysis.

Results

MB decreased viability and increased ROS levels in HEK-293 cells. However, pretreatment of HEK-293 cells with TSC for 24 hr reduced the cytotoxicity and ROS production caused by MB. Furthermore, MB enhanced both the apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio) and autophagy markers (LC3II/I ratio and Beclin-1) in HEK-293 cells. On the other hand, TSC pretreatment condensed the levels of autophagy and apoptosis criteria in response to MB cytotoxicity.

Conclusion

TSC has a positive effect in preventing MB-induced cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells by increasing anti-oxidant activity and regulation of apoptotic and autophagy signaling pathways.

The effects of ginseng on the metabolic syndrome: An updated review

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors including high blood glucose, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and high body weight. It can increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, which are the important reasons for death around the world. Nowadays, there are numerous demands for herbal medicine because of less harmful effects and more useful effects in comparison with chemical options. Ginseng is one of the most famous herbs used as a drug for a variety of disorders in humans. The antihyperlipidemia, antihypertension, antihyperglycemic, and anti-obesity effects of ginseng and its active constituents such as ginsenosides have been shown in different studies. In this review article, the different in vitro, in vivo, and human studies concerning the effects of ginseng and its active constituents in metabolic syndrome have been summarized. According to these studies, ginseng can control metabolic syndrome and related diseases.