Assessment of the effect of sodium tetraborate on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in lead-induced nephrotoxicity.

Exposure to Pb, a toxic heavy metal, is a risk factor for renal damage. Borax, an essential trace element in cellular metabolism, is a naturally occurring compound found in many foods. This study investigated the effects of sodium tetraborate (ST), a source of borax, on renal oxidative stress and inflammation in rats exposed to Pb. Wistar Albino rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups: Control (0.5 mL, i.p. isotonic), Pb (50 mg/kg/day/i.p.), ST (4.0 mg/kg/day/oral), and Pb + ST groups. At the end of the five-day experimental period, kidney tissue samples were obtained and analyzed. Histopathologically, the Pb-induced damage observed in the Pb group improved in the Pb + ST group. Immunohistochemically, Pb administration increased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and caspase-3. When evaluated biochemically, Pb application inhibited catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and activated superoxide dismutase enzyme activity. An increase in malondialdehyde levels was considered an indicator of damage. ST application increases glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and decreased malondialdehyde levels. These results indicate that ST might play a protective role against Pb-induced renal damage via the upregulation of renal tissue antioxidants and cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and caspase-3 immunoexpression.

The protective effect of arbutin against potassium bromate-induced oxidative damage in the rat brain.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of arbutin (ARB) against brain injury induced in rats with potassium bromate (KBrO3 ). The rats were divided into four groups as Group 1: Control (0.9% NaCl ml/kg/day p.), Group 2: KBrO3 (100 mg/kg (gavage), Group 3: ARB (50 mg/kg/day p.), and Group 4: KBrO3 + ARB (100 mg/kg (gavage) + 50 mg/kg/day p.). At the end of the fifth day of the study, the rats in all groups were killed, and their brain tissues were collected. In the collected brain tissues, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were measured, and routine histopathological examinations were made. The MDA levels in the group that was exposed to KBrO3 were significantly higher than those in the control group (p ˂ 0.001). In comparison to the KBrO3 group, the MDA levels in the KBrO3 + ARB group were significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). It was observed that SOD and CAT enzyme activity levels were significantly lower in the KBrO3 group compared to the control group (p ˂ 0.001), while these levels were significantly higher in the KBrO3 + ARB group than in the KBrO3 group (p ˂ 0.001). Additionally, the group that was subjected to KBrO3 toxicity, as well as ARB administration, had much lower levels of histopathologic signs than the group that was subjected to KBrO3 toxicity only. Consequently, it was found that KBrO3 exposure led to injury in the brain tissues of the rats, and using ARB was effective in preventing this injury.

Determination of trace element and fatty acid levels in tissues of mirror and scaly carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) living in Keban Dam Reservoir (Elazig).

This study investigated the concentrations of some accumulated trace metals (iron, manganese, zinc and copper) and fatty acids in liver and muscle tissues of mirror and scaly carp varieties (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) living in Keban Dam Reservoir (Elazig), which is the second-largest artificial lake in Turkey that hosts commercially valuable and preferred fish varieties for human consumption. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method was used to analyse the concentrations of trace elements. Fatty acid levels were measured in a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) device, using a flame ionization detector (FID). Considering the two fish varieties and tissues that were studied, the mean metal concentrations (µg g-1 ) were found in the following ranges: Fe 12.32-49.97, Mn 0.12-0.62, Zn 10.45-86.59 and Cu 2.74-11.86. Although the lowest levels were detected in the muscle tissue for all the metals examined, the levels in the liver tissue were significantly higher. According to the results of the analyses on fatty acid concentrations, the mean total saturated fatty acid levels in the muscle tissue of the scaly carp and mirror carp varieties were found to be 31.07 and 31.43 (%), respectively, whereas these values for the liver tissue were consecutively 22.36 and 22.08 (%). Successively, the mean total levels of unsaturated fatty acids were determined as 68.93 and 68.40 (%) in the muscle tissue and 77.64 and 77.92 in the liver tissue. This study, with the finding that the trace (metallic) element accumulation rates were below the upper limits of the tolerable range, and the examined fish varieties were rich in fatty acids, shows that mirror carp and scaly carp living in Keban Dam Reservoir are highly nutritious for human diets.

Ameliorative effects of astaxanthin against copper(II) ion-induced alteration of pentose phosphate pathway and antioxidant system enzymes in rats.

Copper (Cu) is one of the toxic elements that cause environmental pollution. As a result of excessive accumulation of copper in the organism, it causes damage in various organs and tissues and hemolysis in erythrocytes. Astaxanthin (ATX) is a pigment belonging to the xanthophyll family, which is an oxygenated derivative of carotenoids. Thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties, ATX has an extraordinary potential to protect the organism against various diseases, especially cancer. The main objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effect of copper ions on the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) enzymes and the role of astaxanthin in reducing this effect. In in vivo study, Wistar Albino male rats (n=28) were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, copper (Cu2+) group, astaxanthin (ATX) group, and copper + astaxanthin (Cu2++ATX) group. The results show that G6PD enzyme activity in Cu2+ group was strongly inhibited (p ˂ 0.05), while in other groups, there were no significant effects compared to the control group (p ⩾ 0.05). 6PGD enzyme activity was significantly reduced in Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05), and GR enzyme activity was lower in Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). Similarly, when GST enzyme activity was evaluated, a strong decrease was observed in the Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05), while the enzyme activity in the Cu2++ATX group approached the control group (p ⩾ 0.05). When TrxR enzyme activity level was examined, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the Cu2+ and Cu2++ATX groups (p ˂ 0.05), and the enzyme activity in the ATX group was found to be close to that in the control group. When in vitro results were evaluated, it was observed that copper ions inhibited G6PD enzyme purified from rat erythrocyte tissues with IC50=1.90 µM value and Ki = 0.97 µM ± 0.082 value and the inhibition was non-competitive. From the results, it can be concluded that Cu2+ ions have an inhibitory effect on rat erythrocyte pentose phosphate pathway and antioxidant system enzymes both in vivo and in vitro, and astaxanthin reduces this effect.

Nephroprotective effect of Ferulago angulata flowers on N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and its phytochemical profile.

The present study was designed to assess the phytochemical content of Ferulago angulata (FA) and possible in vivo nephroprotective effect of FA administration on trace elements, minerals, MDA and GSH in kidney and liver tissue samples, serum vitamin (α-tocopherol, retinol, cholecalciferol, phylloquinone), TSA, and LSA in a rat model of DMN-induced nephrotoxicity. In the study, Wistar albino rats were assigned to six groups: Control (0.9% NaCl), (DMN 10 mg/kg), (FA 150 mg/kg), (DMN + FA 150 mg/kg), (FA 300 mg/kg), and (DMN + FA 300 mg/kg). Rats were intraperitoneally given DMN for the first 7 days. Renal injury caused by DMN was proved by the histopathological alterations. The FA (300 mg/kg) treatment significantly normalized Se, Cr, Ca levels in liver and Co level in kidney tissue samples. These observed positive effects are due to the phytochemical content of the plant. The flower extract of FA (300 mg/kg) can be used for the prevention of kidney damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ferulago angulata flowers are used in traditional medicine for treat kidney and liver digestive system diseases. This species is endemic taxa of the family Apiaceae, which has been used both as food and therapeutics because of their phytochemical composition. In this study, the phenolic characterization of FA flower was used to a new RP-HPLC method, as well as the biological activity of FA flower and possible in vivo nephroprotective effect of FA flowers on trace elements, minerals, MDA and GSH in kidney and liver tissue samples and vitamins, TSA, and LSA in serum samples a rat model of DMN-induced nephrotoxicity. It was found that high level of phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, 2-hydroxycinnamic acid) present in the flower extract of F. angulata has positive effects and antioxidant properties. Due to its phenolic content, FA flower extract could protect for kidney damage and can be used as antioxidants in the food additive and pharmaceutical industry.

The effect of astaxanthin and cadmium on rat erythrocyte G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and TrxR enzymes activities in vivo and on rat erythrocyte 6PGD enzyme activity in vitro.

In this study, the effects of astaxanthin (AST) that belongs to carotenoid family and cadmium (Cd), which is an important heavy metal, on rat erythrocyte G6PD, 6PGD, GR, and TrxR enzyme activities in vivo and on rat erythrocyte 6PGD enzyme activity in vitro were studied. In in vitro studies, 6PGD enzyme was purified from rat erythrocytes with 2',5'-ADP Sepharose4B affinity chromatography. Results showed inhibition of enzyme by Cd at IC50 ; 346.5 µM value and increase of 6PGD enzyme activity by AST. In vivo studies showed an increase in G6PD, 6PGD, and GR enzyme activities (P Ëƒ 0.05) and no chance in TrxR enzyme activity by AST. Cd ion inhibited G6PD, 6PGD, and GR enzyme activities (P Ë‚ 0.05) and also decreased TrxR enzyme activity (P Ëƒ 0.05). AST + Cd group G6PD enzyme activity was statistically low compared with control group (P Ë‚ 0.05). 6PGD and TrxR enzyme activities decreased without statistical significance (P Ëƒ 0.05); however, GR enzyme activity increased statistically significantly (P Ë‚ 0.05).