ABSTRACT
Fipronil (FPN) is phenylpyrazole insecticide extensively used to control a wide variety of pests. Betanin (BET) is a natural colorant with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of BET on FPN induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rats. Forty rats were assigned into 4 equal groups; Group I (Control); Group II (BET) received 20 mg/kg b.wt/day; Group III (FPN) received 4.8 mg/kg b.wt/day; and Group IV (BET/FPN). All treatments were given orally for 90 days. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for analysis of serum urea and creatinine. Kidneys were harvested for determination of kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) level; gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1); oxidative stress biomarkers including malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCC), catalase activity (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical investigation of Nrf2, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and caspase-3 were also undertaken. The results revealed kidney dysfunction, downregulation of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 genes, redox imbalance, structural damage, decreased Nrf2 and increased NF-κB immune-expression, in addition to strong caspase-3 immunoreactivity in FPN-treated group. In the combined group, BET co-administration resulted in functional and structural amelioration, up-regulation of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 genes, mitigation of redox imbalance, and strong anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. In conclusion, BET via activation of Nrf2-HO-1/NQO-1 pathway, exhibits beneficial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects against FPN-induced nephrotoxicity.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring, autoimmune, inflammatory hair loss disease. Zinc is a trace element involved in important functional activities of hair follicles. PURPOSE: To evaluate serum zinc levels in patients with newly diagnosed and resistant lesions of AA in comparison to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. METHODS: The present study included 100 subjects: 50 patients with AA divided into two equally distributed subgroups (25 patients with recent onset AA [subgroup 1] and 25 patients with resistant AA [subgroup 2]) and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum zinc levels were assessed in all subjects. Comparison of mean serum zinc levels was done between all patients and controls, between patients' subgroups as well as between patient's subgroup and controls. Correlations between serum zinc level and extent of AA and its duration were also done in all patients and each patient's subgroup. RESULTS: A significantly lower serum zinc level was found in patients with AA compared with controls and was significantly lower in patients with resistant AA compared to patients with newly diagnosed AA. Significant inverse correlations existed between serum zinc level, severity of AA, and disease duration in all patients as well as in patients with resistant AA. CONCLUSION: Lower serum zinc level existed in patients with AA and correlated inversely with disease duration, severity of AA, and its resistance to therapies. Therefore, assessment of serum zinc level in patients with AA appears useful as a marker of severity, disease duration, and resistance to therapies. Accordingly, zinc supplements may provide a therapeutic benefit.
