The Prospective Ameliorative Role of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in STZ-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats: Mechanistic Targeting of Autophagy and Regulating Nrf2/TXNIP/NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) as one of the common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been employed in several biomedical aspects. This study purposed to explore the mechanistic renoprotective effects of ZnO NPs in STZ-induced DN. Sixty male Wistar rats were allocated into four equal groups: control, ZnO NPs control, STZ, and STZ + ZnO NPs groups. At the end of the experiment, blood and urine biochemical parameters were assayed. Renal tissue level of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) was assayed spectrofluorometrically, moreover, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) DNA-binding activity and IL-1β levels were detected by ELISA. The gene expression levels of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Oxidative stress markers were determined spectrophotometrically. Also, renal tissue histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were determined. After 6 weeks of treatment, ZnO NPs markedly improved the biochemical, renal functions, and histopathological findings. Furthermore, ZnO NPs significantly increased Nrf2-DNA-binding activity and downregulated TXNIP gene expression leading to restoration of the redox status. Additionally, ZnO NPs ameliorated AGEs levels, enhanced autophagy activity, and attenuated inflammasome activation via downregulation of NLRP3 expression and reducing IL-1β levels. Based on our results, we concluded that ZnO NPs can be considered as a promising agent for slowing the progression of DN via interplay between autophagy and Nrf2/TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling.

Postnatal baicalin ameliorates behavioral and neurochemical alterations in valproic acid-induced rodent model of autism: The possible implication of sirtuin-1/mitofusin-2/ Bcl-2 pathway

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by pervasive impairments in social communication along with repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Although its distinctive etiology isn`t completely understood, genetic and environmental risk factors were incriminated. Being a flavonoid of high biomedical value, baicalin was recently verified as an emerging medicinal herb with numerous pharmacological activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasible effects of baicalin on valproic acid (VPA)-induced autism regarding its potential mitochondrial modulatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects. The present study was performed using a rodent model of autism by exposing rat fetuses to VPA on the 12.5th day of gestation. Ten male Wistar rats that were born from control pregnant females were considered as group I (control group). Twenty male Wistar rats that were born from prenatal VPA- treated females were further divided into two groups: Group II (VPA- induced ASD) and group III (VPA + Baicalin). Postnatal baicalin promoted postnatal growth and maturation. In addition, it improved motor development and ameliorated repetitive behavior as well as social deficits in prenatally exposed VPA rats. Moreover, baicalin enhanced neuronal mitochondrial functions as evidenced by elevation of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level and promotion of mitofusin-2 expression. Furthermore, baicalin elevated sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) level in VPA rats' brain tissues and restored the antioxidant defense mechanisms. Besides, it abrogated the neuronal histopathological changes in the brain tissues. Based on the data herein, baicalin may provide a promising pre-clinical therapeutic line in ASD as a mitochondrial function modulator, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic agent.

Unique Novel Role of Adropin in a Gastric Ulcer in a Rotenone-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, frequently associated with a gastric ulcer. We aimed to investigate the adropin neuroprotective/gastroprotective potential in the indomethacin (IND)-induced gastric ulcer in a rotenone-induced PD model. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, rotenone/IND treated (PD /Ulcer) group, adropin treated PD/Ulcer group, and l-dopa/omeprazole (Om) treated PD/Ulcer group. There were ten rats selected for the normal control group. Striatal dopamine (DA), apoptosis/redox status, and motor/behavioral impairments were evaluated. Gastric oxidative stress, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, prostaglandin E2, mucin content, and von Willebrand factor were measured. Gastric/striatal phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/phosphorylated Akt and gastric vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/striatal P53 immunoreactivities were checked. Striatal P53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (Puma)/gastric vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (Vegfr-2) expressions were evaluated. Adropin successfully restored striatal DA and attenuated rotenone-induced motor/behavior deficits along with strong gastroprotective potential, possibly through antioxidant activity via reduction in malondialdehyde level and upregulated superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and serum ferric reducing antioxidant power. Adropin restored the delicate balance between the defective pro-survival PI3K/Akt/murine double minute 2 signals and apoptotic P53/Puma pathways. Adropin can be considered as a uniquely attractive therapeutic target in PD and its associated gastric ulcer.

Activation of sirtuin 3 and maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis by artemisinin protect against diclofenac-induced kidney injury in rats

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced kidney injury is one of the most common causes of renal failure. The exact pathogenesis of NSAID induced kidney injury is not fully known and the treatment is still challenging. Artemisinin (ART) gains more attention by its potent biological activities in addition to its antimalarial effect. In our research, we evaluated the preventive and therapeutic effects of ART in Diclofenac (DIC) induced kidney injury through its effect on mitochondria and regulation of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3). Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control, ART, DIC, DIC + ART prophylactic, and DIC followed + ART therapeutic groups. At the end of the study, animals were scarified and the following parameters were evaluated: serum urea and creatinine, renal malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitrate. SIRT3 was detected by western blotting and real-time PCR. Mitochondrial related markers (PGC-1α, Drp1, and mitochondrial ATP) were detected by immunoassay. Caspase-3 and LC3 II expression in kidney tissues were demonstrated by immune-histochemical staining. The kidney specimens were stained for H&E and PAS special stain. Electron microscopy was done to detect mitochondrial morphology. ART improved renal function test, oxidative stress, SIRT3 level, mitochondrial function, LC3 II expression and decrease caspase-3. Histopathological examination confirmed ART alleviation as determined by light or electron microscopy. ART can modulate biochemical and pathological changes in DIC-induced kidney injury and can be considered a new possible therapeutic approach for DIC-induced kidney injury through its effect on SIR3 and maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis.

Tempol mitigates inflammation, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations of cadmium-induced parotid gland injury in rats

Cadmium (Cd) is a potent environmental pollutant that causes functional and structural damage to the salivary glands. Tempol (TEM) has powerful antioxidant activity that can potentially preserve organ function.

AIMS

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of TEM on Cd-induced toxicity in rat parotid salivary glands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four adult Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to four equal groups: control, TEM (27.5 g/100 ml), Cd (0.6 g/100 ml), and TEM plus Cd (at the same doses). All treatments were dissolved in distilled water and administered subcutaneously four times a week for four weeks. Parotid gland tissues were isolated and subjected to molecular and histo-biochemical assessments.

KEY FINDINGS

TEM exerted a prophylactic effect against Cd-induced toxicity in the parotid glands by controlling inflammation through the downregulation of toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation primary response 88/nuclear factor kappa B/ interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression, upregulation of aquaporin-5 mRNA expression, improvement of the oxidant/antioxidant status in the parotid gland, mitigation of endoplasmic reticulum stress, and repair of the associated histological and ultrastructural abnormalities.

SIGNIFICANCE

TEM protects against Cd-induced toxicity in the parotid glands of rats, attributable at least in part to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to inhibit ER stress and facilitate glandular repair. However, the protective effects of TEM did not reach the levels observed in the control group. TEM could be a promising clinical candidate for protecting the salivary glands, particularly in high-risk groups such as workers exposed to Cd and cigarette smokers.