Saroglitazar mitigated NASH-associated hepatic injury in dexamethasone-treated rats via modulating autophagy, apoptosis, and necroptosis.

This study aimed to evaluate the possible ameliorative effects of saroglitazar (SAR) on aspects of hepatic injury in dexamethasone (DEX)-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats. Wistar rats received SAR (2 or 4 mg/kg/day, orally) or metformin (MET, 500 mg/kg/day, orally) for one week before and concurrently with DEX administration (8 mg/kg/day, i.p., for 6 days. Control and drug control groups received vehicle or the higher dose of SAR, respectively. At the end of the experiment, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted, serum hepatic function parameters and lipid profile were assessed, and hepatic histological changes were evaluated. Moreover, hepatic p-Akt/Akt ratios, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, SREBP-1, FOXO1, LC3, cleaved caspase-3, and p-MLKL protein levels were determined. Furthermore, hepatic immunohistochemical expressions of FOXO1, caspase-3, Bcl-2, LC3, and P62 were examined. SAR (mainly at 4 mg/kg/day) significantly improved Area under the OGTT curve (P < 0.0001), hepatic function parameters, lipid profile, and hepatic histopathological features in DEX-administered rats. Moreover, SAR significantly attenuated DEX-induced increases in hepatic MDA content (P < 0.05), SREBP-1 levels (P < 0.0001), and nuclear FOXO1, caspase-3, LC3, P62, and p-MLKL protein expressions (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, SAR significantly enhanced hepatic p-Akt/Akt ratio and Bcl-2 protein expression in DEX-administered rats (P < 0.0001). The higher dose of SAR showed greater hepatoprotective effects compared to its corresponding lower dose and MET in most assessments, approaching levels similar to the control group. SAR mitigated hepatic injury associated with DEX-induced NASH in rats, suggesting it might be a potential hepatoprotective drug for patients with or at high risk of NASH.

Imatinib mitigates experimentally-induced ulcerative colitis: Possible contribution of NF-kB/JAK2/STAT3/COX2 signaling pathway.

RATIONALE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized by recurrent inflammation, damage, and alteration of the large intestine's mucosal and submucosal surfaces. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (imatinib) on experimentally induced UC in rats via acetic acid (AA). METHODS: Male rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, AA, AA + imatinib (10 mg/kg), and AA + imatinib (20 mg/kg). Imatinib (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) was orally supplied by oral syringe for one week before induction of UC. On the eighth day, Rats received enemas containing a 4 % solution of acetic acid to induce colitis. One day after inducing colitis, rats were euthanized and their colons were subjected to morphological, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Imatinib pretreatment significantly decreased macroscopic and histological damage scores, decreased disease activity index as well as colon mass index. In addition, imatinib successfully lowered the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in colonic tissues and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and glutathione content (GSH). Imatinib also reduced colonic levels of inflammatory interleukins (IL-23, IL-17, IL-6), JAK2 and STAT3. Furthermore, imatinib suppressed nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kB/p65) level, and COX2 expression in colonic tissues. SIGNIFICANCE: Imatinib may be a viable therapy option for UC as it halts the interaction network of NF-kB/JAK2/STAT3/COX2 signaling pathway.

The dual inhibitor Sacubitril-valsartan ameliorate high-fat high-fructose-induced metabolic disorders in rats superiorly compared to valsartan only.

OBJECTIVES: Sacubitril-valsartan, a recently approved treatment for heart failure, has shown some promise as a possible therapeutic option for diabetes mellitus. It is still not clear whether those beneficial effects are comparable to valsartan effects. In this work, we aimed at investigating Sacubitril-valsartan effect on metabolic changes in a model of high-fat high fructose diet-induced diabetes mellitus, in comparison to the metabolic changes induced by valsartan only. METHODS: Rats were ad libitum fed with either standard chow plus tap water for drinking (controls) or 60% beef tallow and 10% fructose drinking water (diseased) for 11 weeks. Starting in week 9, each group was subdivided into four, namely vehicle, pioglitazone, Sacubitril-valsartan and valsartan. Treatments were administered from weeks 9 to 11, while rats were maintained in their respective diet groups. KEY FINDINGS: Sacubitril-valsartan treatment significantly decreased daily food intake, body weight and epididymal white adipose weight, and normalized insulin and glycosylated haemoglobin in high-fat high fructose. Both valsartan and Sacubitril-valsartan only attenuated the elevated fasting blood glucose levels, glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance and increased protein kinase B phosphorylation in diseased rats. CONCLUSIONS: Sacubitril-valsartan may be an effective modulator of diabetes mellitus-associated metabolic aberration, superiorly compared to valsartan only.

Amelioration of Early Markers of Diabetic Nephropathy by Linagliptin in Fructose-Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Early prediction and clinical intervention are extremely important in order to delay or hinder diabetic nephropathy (DN) progression. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to detect early signs of DN and study the potential ameliorating effect of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, linagliptin, on some early markers for DN in fructose-streptozotocin (Fr-STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHOD: Fr-STZ rats were treated with either linagliptin (3 mg/kg p.o. daily), metformin (350 mg/kg p.o. daily), or their combination for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Fr-STZ DN rats exhibited obvious tubular renal damage and glomerular podocyte injury as confirmed by renal kidney -injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and vanin-1 mRNA, as well as urinary N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase elevation and nephrin mRNA suppression, associated with the appearance of marked renal interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis despite the absence of microalbuminuria. Initiation of oxidative, inflammatory, fibrotic, and apoptotic reactions was evident in the settings of renal hyperglycemia. Linagliptin significantly modulated the aforementioned renal tubular injury makers and restored glomerular nephrin expression as well as reversed renal histopathological alterations. Oxidative, inflammatory, fibrotic and apoptotic processes were also alleviated. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that linagliptin exerts renoprotection against early features of DN in rats probably by inhibition of high glucose-induced renal tubular and glomerular injury thereby hampering KIM-1 and NGAL as well as vanin-1 associated with renal inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress.

Dapagliflozin attenuates early markers of diabetic nephropathy in fructose-streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

Early detection and clinical interference are major challenges for the prevention of diabetic nephropathy (DN) progression. This study investigated the effects of dapagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, on some early markers for DN in fructose-streptozotocin (Fr-STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Fr-STZ rats were treated with either dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg p.o. daily), metformin (350 mg/kg p.o. daily), or their combination for 6 weeks. Fr-STZ rats displayed marked early tubular renal damage and glomerular podocyte injury as evidenced by renal KIM-1, NGAL, cystatin C, and vanin-1 mRNA, as well as urinary NAG elevation and nephrin mRNA suppression, associated with the development of marked renal interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis despite the presence of normoalbuminuria. Propagation of oxidative, inflammatory, fibrotic, and apoptotic reactions was obvious in the setting of renal glucose overload. Dapagliflozin significantly attenuated the renal tubular injury makers namely KIM-1, NGAL, vanin-1 and urinary NAG. In addition, it restored glomerular nephrin expression and reversed renal histopathological changes. Oxidative, inflammatory, and fibrotic processes were also alleviated. This study suggests that dapagliflozin exerts a renoprotective effect against early features of DN in rats presumably by inhibition of diabetes-induced renal tubular and glomerular injury thereby modulating oxidative, inflammatory, and fibrotic as well as apoptotic mechanisms elicited during hyperglycemia.

Attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits by allicin.

Allicin, the active substance of garlic, exerts a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and is considered to have potential therapeutic applications. The present study was designed to investigate the possible beneficial effects of allicin against oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Male New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Rabbits randomly received 1 of the following treatments: normal chow diet for 4 weeks, 1% high cholesterol diet (HCD), HCD plus allicin (10 mg/kg/day), or HCD plus atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day). Blood samples were collected at the end of experimental diets for measurement of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), C-reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, the aorta was removed for measurement of vascular reactivity, histopathological changes, intima/media (I/M) ratio, and immunohistochemical staining of both tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. HCD induced significant increases in serum TC, TGs, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), CRP, and MDA. Moreover, HCD caused significant decrease in serum GSH and SOD. In addition, aortic relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) was impaired. Immunohistochemical staining of aortic specimens from HCD-fed rabbits revealed high expression levels of both TNF-α and the oxidant-induced transcription factor, NF-κB. Allicin supplementation significantly decreased serum MDA and CRP, increased serum HDL-C, GSH, and SOD levels while nonsignificantly affecting HCD-induced elevations in serum TC and LDL-C. Additionally, allicin significantly protected against HCD-induced attenuation of rabbit aortic endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh and elevation in I/M ratio. This effect was confirmed by histopathological examination of the aorta. Moreover, allicin has substantially beneficial effects on aortic expression of TNF-α and NF-κB compared with HCD-fed rabbits. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that allicin may be useful in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and the aortic pathology in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of flavocoxid in high-cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Flavocoxid is a mixed extract containing baicalin and catechin, and it acts as a dual balanced inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 peroxidase enzyme activities with a significant inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme activity in vitro. Flavocoxid downregulates gene or protein expression of several inflammatory markers and exerts also strong antioxidant activity in several experimental models. Inflammation and oxidative stress contribute in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In the present study, an experimental rabbit model of hypercholesterolemia was developed and the effects of flavocoxid were evaluated. Rabbits were divided into four groups-normal control, high-cholesterol-diet (HCD)-fed group, HCD plus flavocoxid (20 mg/kg/day), or HCD plus atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day). Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for measuring serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), C-reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, the aorta was removed for measurement of antioxidant status, vascular reactivity, and intima/media (I/M) ratio. Elevated levels of serum TC, TGs, LDL-C, and CRP were measured in HCD group. Moreover, HCD caused a significant increase in serum and aortic MDA concomitantly with a reduction in serum and aortic GSH and SOD. Immunohistochemical staining of aortic specimens from HCD-fed rabbits revealed high expression levels of both tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Rabbits in flavocoxid group showed significantly lower levels of serum CRP, serum, and aortic MDA and higher levels of serum HDL-C, serum, and aortic GSH and SOD compared to HCD group. HCD-induced elevations in serum TC and LDL-C did not significantly affected by flavocoxid treatment. Additionally, flavocoxid significantly enhanced rabbit aortic endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and decreased the elevated I/M ratio. This effect was confirmed by histopathological examination of the aorta. Moreover, flavocoxid effectively suppresses the release of inflammatory markers. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that flavocoxid would be useful in preventing oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction induced by HCD.

Montelukast reduces sepsis-induced lung and renal injury in rats.

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of montelukast (MNT) on lung and kidney injury in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced systemic inflammatory response. Rats were randomized into 5 groups (n = 8 rats/group): (i) Control; (ii) LPS treated (10 mg/kg body mass, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection); (iii) LPS + MNT (10 mg/kg, per oral (p.o.)); (iv) LPS + MNT (20 mg/kg, p.o); (v) LPS + dexamethasone (DEX; 1 mg/kg, i.p.). Twenty-four hours after sepsis was induced, the lung or kidney:body mass ratio and percent survival of rats were determined. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, total protein, and LDH activity were measured. Lung and kidney samples were taken for histological assessment and for determination of their malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) contents. The expression of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in tissue was evaluated immunohistochemically. LPS significantly increased the organ:body mass ratio, serum creatinine, BUN, and LDH, and decreased serum albumin and total protein levels. MDA levels increased in lung and kidney tissues after treatment with LPS, and there was a concomitant reduction in GSH levels. Immunohistochemical staining of lung and kidney specimens from LPS-treated rats revealed high expression levels of TNF-α. MNT suppresses the release of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Additionally, MNT effectively preserved tissue morphology as evidenced by histological evaluation. These results demonstrate that MNT could have lung and renoprotective effects against the inflammatory process during endotoxemia. This effect can be attributed to its antioxidant and (or) anti-inflammatory properties.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6-nitro-5-substituted aminoquinolines as local anesthetic and anti-arrhythmic agents: molecular modeling study.

A series of 6-nitro-5-[1-oxo-2-(substituted amino)ethylamino and 2-(substituted amino)propylamino] quinoline was synthesized and evaluated for their local anesthetic and anti-arrhythmic activity. The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic, and biological data are reported. Molecular modeling methods are used to study the local anesthetic activity of lidocaine and the active compounds by means of the AM1 method. The superposition of the stable conformations of these compounds was studied using the HyperChem 5.11 program.