Perindopril regulates the inflammatory mediators, NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6, and apoptosis in cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction

Reno-protective impact of diosmin and perindopril in amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity rat model: modulation of SIRT1/p53/C-FOS, NF-κB-p65, and keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways

PURPOSE

Amikacin (AMC), an aminoglycoside antibiotic known for its rapid and potent bactericidal activity, is also associated with nephrotoxicity. Diosmin and perindopril have been reported to improve renal function and hold promise as therapeutic agents for preventing drug-induced nephrotoxicity. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Diosmin and perindopril, either alone or in combination, against renal damage induced by AMC toxicity and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The researchers evaluated the impact of Diosmin (50 mg/kg, orally) and perindopril (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) on AMC-induced kidney injury (1.2 g/kg, intraperitoneally) in rats. Invasive blood pressure, serum kidney function and toxicity parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, and inflammatory cytokine levels in serum and renal tissue were assessed. Histopathological changes in the kidney were examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical analysis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effect of the combination pretreatment on kidney injury were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting techniques.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrated that the combination therapy improved kidney function by attenuating pathological changes observed in H&E staining including tubular necrosis and glomerular damage, in addition to reducing levels of kidney function including serum levels of creatinine compared to the AMC group, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) uric acid, and albumin. Mean arterial blood pressure, and toxicity markers including Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1), Cystatin-c were also decreased in samples of combination group compared to AMC group. Furthermore, the protective combination therapy downregulated NF-κB-p65, P53, Keap-1, and C-FOS, while upregulating Mammalian sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (Iκβ), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings reveal the potential clinical application of combining Diosmin and perindopril to reduce AMC-induced nephrotoxicity, which requires further research in clinical settings.

Effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata polysaccharides on LPS-induced immune activation in mice based on gut microbiota, metabolomics and transcriptomics

This study explored the immunomodulatory effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata polysaccharides (RP) on LPS-induced immune activation. RP, characterized as a heteropolysaccharide (6.34 kDa and 4.63 kDa) rich in galactose and glucose, was administered to LPS-challenged BALB/c mice at 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg doses. Results showed RP significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), lowered oxidative stress (MDA), and boosted antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px). It restored splenic structure, mitigated apoptosis, and suppressed the TNF-α/NF-κB/IL-6 pathway. Metabolomics linked RP to sphingolipid metabolism, while gut microbiota analysis revealed increased beneficial bacteria and elevated SCFAs. Transcriptomics confirmed RP's immune regulation via TNF signaling. These findings demonstrate RP's potential in alleviating immune overactivation by modulating inflammation, gut microbiota, and SCFA production, suggesting therapeutic promise for immune-related diseases.

Persisting blood-brain barrier disruption following cisplatin treatment in a mouse model of chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment

Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as "chemobrain," significantly affects cancer survivors' quality of life, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Most chemotherapeutic agents cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), yet they cause central nervous system side effects, suggesting alternative pathways of toxicity. Given that these drugs interact with the cerebrovascular endothelium at their highest concentrations, it is logical to hypothesize that endothelial damage contributes to these effects. Our recent studies demonstrated that paclitaxel-induced cognitive impairment in a mouse model results in a partial BBB disruption and subsequent neuroinflammation, mediated by chemotherapy-induced endothelial senescence. In this pilot study, we used two-photon microscopy to assess BBB permeability in mice receiving a clinically relevant cisplatin regimen, evaluating the leakage of fluorescent dextran tracers of varying molecular weights. Two months post-treatment, cisplatin-treated mice exhibited significantly increased BBB permeability to smaller molecular tracers (40 kDa, 3 kDa, and 0.3 kDa) compared to controls, indicating sustained BBB disruption. These results align with our findings for paclitaxel and suggest that chemotherapy-induced endothelial damage and senescence play a central role in cognitive impairments. Interventions targeting endothelial health could mitigate these long-term effects, improving cognitive outcomes for cancer survivors.

Berberrubine protects against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity by promoting folate biosynthesis

Objective

This research investigated the possible shielding properties of BB (Berberrubine) against the harmful auditory effects of cisplatin, preliminarily delving into the underlying mechanisms responsible for this protection.

Methods

HEI-OC1 cell viability was determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The impact of BB on cochlear hair cells was studied through in vitro cochlear explants culture. Apoptosis levels were measured through Annexin V-PI, Cleaved Caspase-3, and TUNEL staining. The level of ROS (reactive oxygen species) was measured through the application of DCFH-DA, MitoSOX, and JC-1 fluorescent dyes for staining. Immunofluorescence analysis of cochlear samples from mice was conducted to quantify the hair cell count, and concurrently, ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) testing was utilized to evaluate auditory function. The mechanism of action of BB was explored using RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR analysis.

Results

BB significantly improved cell survival rates under cisplatin treatment, reduced levels of apoptotic markers (TUNEL, Cleaved Caspase-3, Annexin V-PI), decreased ROS and MitoSOX levels, and improved JC-1 signals in both HEI-OC1 cells and cochlear hair cells in cochlear explants culture. Animal studies demonstrated that treatment with BB enhanced the survival of cochlear hair cells, reduced hearing impairment caused by cisplatin in mice. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that BB influenced the expression levels of multiple genes (Ccnd2, Reln, Pgf, Mylk3, Ppplr12c, Thbsl), by promoting folate biosynthesis for hearing protection.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that BB protects against cisplatin-induced hearing damage by enhancing folate biosynthesis, decreasing intracellular ROS levels, and inhibiting apoptosis.

Lycopene alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced nephrotoxicity by modulating PPAR-γ, Nrf2/HO-1, and NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6 signals

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most used anticancer drugs. However, its nephrotoxicity-associated drawback is of clinical concern. Lycopene (LYC) is a red carotenoid with remarkable anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, rats were divided randomly into five groups: control, lycopene (10 mg) (10 mg/kg/day; P.O), 5-FU (30 mg/kg/day; i.p.), Lycopene (5 mg) + 5-FU (5 mg/kg + 30 mg/kg/day), and lycopene (10 mg) + 5-FU (10 mg/kg + 30 mg/kg/day). LYC attenuated the loss of renal function induced by 5-FU in a dose-dependent manner. Rats co-treated with LYC had lower serum urea, creatinine, uric acid and KIM-1 levels, and a higher serum albumin level than those receiving 5-FU alone. Furthermore, co-treatment with the high dose of LYC maintained renal oxidant-antioxidant balance by ameliorating/preventing the loss of antioxidants and the elevation of malondialdehyde. Rats treated with 5-FU had markedly lower renal levels of PPAR-gamma, HO-1, Nfr2, and Il-10 and higher levels of NF-kB, TNF-alpha, and IL6 compared to the control rats. Co-treatment with LYC attenuated the reduction in PPAR-gamma, HO-1, Nfr2, and IL-10 levels and moderated the elevated levels of NF-kB, TNF-alpha, and IL-6. The kidneys from rats co-treated with lycopene (10 mg) + 5-FU did not show the degenerative changes in the glomerular tufts and tubules observed for the rats treated with 5-FU alone. In conclusion, LYC is a promising therapeutic strategy for attenuating 5-FU-induced nephrotoxicity through the restoration of antioxidant activities and inhibition of inflammatory responses by modulating PPAR-γ, Nrf2/HO-1, and NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6, signals.

Effect of ethyl acetate extract from Usnea longissima on chemotherapy-associated multiple organ dysfunction in rats

BACKGROUND

The toxic effects of doxorubicin and cisplatin in various organs have been associated with oxidative stress. Studies have shown that Usnea longissima has strong antioxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of ethyl acetate extract from Usnea longissima (ULE), which is known to have strong antioxidant effects, on chemotherapeutic-induced heart, kidney, liver, and ovarian toxicity.

METHODS

Albino Wistar female rats were divided into five groups (12 rats per group): healthy (HG), doxorubicin (DOX), Cisplatin (CIS), Doxorubicin+ ULE (DULE), Cisplatin+ ULE (CULE). In this experiment, ULE was given 100 mg/kg orally. After 1 hour, 2.5 mg/kg doxorubicin and 2.5 mg/kg cisplatin were administered intraperitoneally. Drug treatments continued once a day for seven days. At the end of seven days, six rats from each group were euthanized and heart, kidney, liver, and ovary tissues were analyzed biochemically. The remaining rats were left in the laboratory with male rats for 45 days for reproduction.

RESULTS

ULE inhibited chemotherapeutic-induced increase in malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 6 and a decrease in total glutathione in liver, kidney, and ovarian tissues. ULE also inhibited the increase of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in serum. ULE treatment had no protective effect against doxorubicin and cisplatin cardiac toxicity. On the other hand, ULE also decreased the delay in pregnancy induced by chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

ULE may be considered an adjuvant therapy in patients receiving chemotherapy to reduce liver, kidney, and ovarian toxicity.

Molecular mechanisms underlying methotrexate-induced intestinal injury and protective strategies

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid reductase inhibitor that manages various malignancies as well as immune-mediated inflammatory chronic diseases. Despite being frequently prescribed, MTX's severe multiple toxicities can occasionally limit its therapeutic potential. Intestinal toxicity is a severe adverse effect associated with the administration of MTX, and patients are significantly burdened by MTX-provoked intestinal mucositis. However, the mechanism of such intestinal toxicity is not entirely understood, mechanistic studies demonstrated oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions as key factors that lead to the development of MTX-induced intestinal injury. Besides, MTX causes intestinal cells to express pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which activate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). This is followed by the activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of the transcription3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling pathway. Moreover, because of its dual anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) has been considered a critical signaling pathway that counteracts oxidative stress in MTX-induced intestinal injury. Several agents have potential protective effects in counteracting MTX-provoked intestinal injury such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, taurine, umbelliferone, vinpocetine, perindopril, rutin, hesperidin, lycopene, quercetin, apocynin, lactobacillus, berberine, zinc, and nifuroxazide. This review aims to summarize the potential redox molecular mechanisms of MTX-induced intestinal injury and how they can be alleviated. In conclusion, studying these molecular pathways might open the way for early alleviation of the intestinal damage and the development of various agent plans to attenuate MTX-mediated intestinal injury.

Immunomodulatory Activity of the Most Commonly Used Antihypertensive Drugs-Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

This review article is focused on antihypertensive drugs, namely angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), and their immunomodulatory properties reported in hypertensive patients as well as in experimental settings involving studies on animal models and cell lines. The immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB is mainly connected with the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion, diminished expression of adhesion molecules, and normalization of CRP concentration in the blood plasma. The topic has significant importance in future medical practice in the therapy of patients with comorbidities with underlying chronic inflammatory responses. Thus, this additional effect of immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB may also benefit the treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome, allergies, or autoimmune disorders.

Targeting inflammation and redox aberrations by perindopril attenuates methotrexate-induced intestinal injury in rats: Role of TLR4/NF-κB and c-Fos/c-Jun pro-inflammatory pathways and PPAR-γ/SIRT1 cytoprotective signals

AIMS

The use of methotrexate (MTX), a classical immunosuppressant and anti-cancer agent, is associated with multiple organ toxicities, including the intestinal injury. Components of the renin-angiotensin system are expressed in the intestinal epithelium and mucosal immune cells where they provoke pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant action. The present study was conducted to investigate the potential ability of perindopril (PER), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), to attenuate MTX-induced intestinal injury with emphasis on the role of the pro-inflammatory TLR4/NF-κB and c-Fos/c-Jun pathways alongside PPAR-γ and SIRT1 cytoprotective signals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The intestinal injury was induced by a single-dose injection of 20 mg/kg of MTX i.p at the end of the 5th day. PER was administrated once daily in a dose of 1 mg/kg, i.p, for five days before MTX and five days later.

RESULTS

Herein, perindopril attenuated the intestinal injury as seen by lowering the histopathological aberrations and preserving the goblet cells in villi/crypts. These beneficial actions were associated with downregulating the expression of the pro-inflammatory angiotensin II, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 cytokines, alongside upregulating the anti-inflammatory angiotensin (1-7) and IL-10. At the molecular level, perindopril downregulated the TLR4/NF-κB and c-Fos/c-Jun pathways in inflamed intestine of rats. Moreover, it attenuated the pro-oxidant events by lowering intestinal MDA and boosting GSH, SOD, and GST antioxidants together with PPAR-γ and SIRT1 cytoprotective signals. The aforementioned findings were also highlighted using molecular docking and network pharmacology analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Perindopril demonstrated notable mitigation of MTX-induced intestinal injury through suppression of TLR4/NF-κB and c-Fos/c-Jun pathways alongside the augmentation of PPAR-γ/SIRT1 cytoprotective signals.

Computer-aided prediction of inhibitors against STAT3 for managing COVID-19 associated cytokine storm

Background

Proinflammatory cytokines are correlated with the severity of disease in patients with COVID-19. IL6-mediated activation of STAT3 proliferates proinflammatory responses that lead to cytokine storm promotion. Thus, STAT3 inhibitors may play a crucial role in managing the COVID-19 pathogenesis. The present study discusses a method for predicting inhibitors against the STAT3 signaling pathway.

Method

The main dataset comprises 1565 STAT3 inhibitors and 1671 non-inhibitors used for training, testing, and evaluation of models. A number of machine learning classifiers have been implemented to develop the models.

Results

The outcomes of the data analysis show that rings and aromatic groups are significantly abundant in STAT3 inhibitors compared to non-inhibitors. First, we developed models using 2-D and 3-D chemical descriptors and achieved a maximum AUC of 0.84 and 0.73, respectively. Second, fingerprints are used to build predictive models and achieved 0.86 AUC with an accuracy of 78.70% on the validation dataset. Finally, models were developed using hybrid descriptors, which achieved a maximum of 0.87 AUC with 78.55% accuracy on the validation dataset.

Conclusion

We used the best model to identify STAT3 inhibitors in FDA-approved drugs and found few drugs (e.g., Tamoxifen and Perindopril) to manage the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. A webserver “STAT3In” (https://webs.iiitd.edu.in/raghava/stat3in/) has been developed to predict and design STAT3 inhibitors.

Modulatory effects of perindopril on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice: Implication of inflammatory cytokines and caspase-3 mediated apoptosis

Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity limits its anticancer effectiveness, thus this study's aim was to assess the potential modulatory effect of perindopril on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms. Renal dysfunction was induced in mice by a single injection of cisplatin (10 mg kg-1, i.p.) and perindopril was administered orally (2 mg kg-1, once daily) for 5 days. Perindopril remarkably ameliorated cisplatin-induced perturbations in renal histology, renal levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10, apoptosis-regulating protein expressions (Bax and Bcl2), and partially normalized Bax to Bcl2 ratio and active caspase 3 protein expression. Conversely, perindopril had no significant effect on cisplatin-induced elevations in serum creatinine and urea, microalbuminuria, kidney to body weight ratio, lipid peroxidation marker, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and reduced glutathione content. In conclusion, perindopril may be safely used with cisplatin in mice since it ameliorated cisplatin-induced histopathological changes, inflammation and apoptosis without affecting renal biomarkers or oxidative stress.

The Protective Effects of Perindopril Against Acute Kidney Damage Caused by Septic Shock

Acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from septic shock caused by sepsis is an important health problem encountered at rates of 55-73%. Increasing oxidative stress and inflammation following sepsis is a widely observed condition with rising mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to determine whether perindopril (PER) can prevent sepsis-associated AKI with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. The control group received an oral saline solution only for 4 days. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis only was applied to the CLP group, while the CLP + PER (2 mg/kg) received CLP-induced sepsis together with 2 mg/kg PER via the oral route for 4 days before induction of sepsis. Finally, all rats were euthanized by anesthesia and sacrificed. TBARS, total SH levels and NF-κβ, TNF-α, and Caspase-3 expression were then calculated for statistical analysis. TBARS, total SH, NF-kβ/p65, TNF-a, and Caspase-3 levels increased in the CLP group. In contrast, oral administration of PER (2 mg/kg) to septic rats reduced TBARS levels and NF-kβ/p65, TNF-α, and Caspase-3 immunopositivity at biochemical analysis. PER treatment appears to be a promising method for preventing sepsis-induced acute kidney injury through its antioxidant anti-inflammation and anti-apoptotic activities.

Perindopril Ameliorates Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Via Regulation of NF-κB-p65/TLR-4, JAK1/STAT-3, Nrf-2, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathways

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion (IR) is an inevitable clinical problem for surgical procedures such as liver transplantation and liver resection. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of perindopril (PER) against hepatic IR injury. Thirty-two rats were used and randomly allocated into four groups. Sham control group was subjected to sham operation and received saline only, IR group was subjected to IR and received vehicle, PER group was pretreated with PER (one milligram per kilogram per day i.p. for 10 consecutive days), and IR+PER group was pretreated with PER then subjected to IR. Liver function biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), oxidative stress (glutathione, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, and superoxide dismutase) and inflammation markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and inteleukin-10 [IL-10]), mRNA expression of NF-κB-p65 and TLR-4, as well as protein expression of JAK1, STAT-3, PI3K, mTOR, Akt, and Nrf-2 were investigated concomitantly with histopathological examination. The results indicated that, hepatic IR induced a significant alteration in liver function biomarkers and structure, oxidative stress, and inflammation. At the molecular level, up-regulation of NF-κB-p65, TLR-4, JAK1, and STAT-3 concomitantly with down-regulation of Nrf-2, IL-10, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were observed. These disturbances were alleviated by pretreatment of IR rats with PER in concomitant with hepatic structural improvement. Conclusively, the protective effect of PER presumably may be relevant to its ability to reduce oxidative stress, ameliorate the inflammatory processes, and modify the related signaling pathways. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1935-1949, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.

Pantoprazole abrogated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice via suppression of inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress

The current study was designed to evaluate the potential abatement effect of pantoprazole against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and establishing the possible protective mechanisms. Thirty-two male mice were allocated for treatment with saline, single dose of cisplatin (10 mg/kg/i.p), pantoprazole (30 mg/kg/once daily) for 5 days or combination of pantoprazole and cisplatin for 5 days. Urine, blood, and both kidneys were collected for further evaluations. Pantoprazole significantly countermand cisplatin-induced disfigurement of renal histology, kidney weight to body weight ratio, serum levels of creatinine and urea, and microalbuminuria. Furthermore, pantoprazole mostly normalized cisplatin-induced distortion of renal levels of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-10) and renal content of apoptosis regulating protein expressions (Bax, Bcl2, and active caspase 3). In addition, pantoprazole significantly subsided cisplatin-induced distortion of renal lipid peroxidation marker (MDA), renal superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities and renal reduced glutathione content. This study provides an evidence for the protective utility of short-term pantoprazole against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. The protective mechanism of pantoprazole could be through diminution of cisplatin-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and their subsequent apoptotic renal cell death via abatement of apoptosis regulating protein expressions (Bax, Bcl2, and active caspase3).

(1 → 3)-β-d-glucan enhances the toxicity induced by Bortezomib in rat testis

We aimed to determine the possible effects of the antioxidant agent (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan on bortezomib-induced rat testis damage. We used five groups of rats; control, (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan (75 mg/kg), bortezomib group, bortezomib + (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan groups (injection of (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan after bortezomib and sacrificed at 48th or 72nd h). The effects of these substances were assessed by measuring the levels of the antioxidant enzymes and LPO, and by performing immunohistochemical analysis with NF-κB. The histology of testis was evaluated using aniline blue staining. (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan leads to significant reductions in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and increased levels of LPO in testes. Moreover, it increased the NF-κB immunopositivity significantly in testis, especially in Bortezomib + (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan group at 48th h. The histological changes were observed in the bortezomib and/or (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan groups. Our results demonstrated that testis damage caused by the treatment with bortezomib was not eliminated by (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan and shockingly it increased the damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The testis damage caused by the treatment with bortezomib was not eliminated by (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan and as a result, β-1,3-(D)-glucan enhanced the toxicity by leading a decrease in the levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT, thus caused an elevation in the immunoreactivity of NF-κB and altered the histopathological changes by enhancing the toxic effects of bortezomib. The findings of the previous studies about the antioxidative activity of (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan are controversial. So, it is necessary to consider the cytotoxicity of (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan in testis tissue. Thus, more studies on testis tissue are necessary to confirm that (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan is safe as an antioxidant.

Myricetin Abrogates Cisplatin-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Response, and Goblet Cell Disintegration in Colon of Wistar Rats

Cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II] is an extensively prescribed drug in cancer chemotherapy; it is also useful for the treatment of diverse types of malignancies. Conversely, cisplatin is associated with a range of side effects such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and so on. Myricetin (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-4chromenone) is a very common natural flavonoid found in fruits, tea, and plants. It has been found to have high-value pharmacological properties and strong health benefits. To examine the role of myricetin in colon toxicity induced by cisplatin, we conducted a concurrent prophylactic study in experimental animals that were treated orally with myricetin for 14 days at two doses—25 and 50 mg/kg of body weight. On the 14th day, a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg body weight) was administered in all groups except control. The effects of myricetin in cisplatin-induced toxicity in the colon were assessed in terms of antioxidant status, phase-II detoxification enzymes, the level of inflammatory markers, and goblet cell disintegration. Myricetin was found to restore the level of all the antioxidant enzymes analyzed in the study. In addition, the compound ameliorated cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation, increase in xanthine oxidase activity, and phase-II detoxifying enzyme activity. Myricetin also attenuated deteriorative effects induced by cisplatin by regulating the level of molecular markers of inflammation (NF-κB, Nrf-2, IL-6, and TNF-α), restoring Nrf-2 levels, and controlling goblet cell disintegration. The current study reinforces the conclusion that myricetin exerts protection in colon toxicity via up-regulation of inflammatory markers, improving anti-oxidant status, and protecting tissue damage.

The protective effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor against cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis via oxidative stress and inflammation

AIMS

Sepsis is a severe public health problem affecting millions of individuals, with global mortality rates caused by lower respiratory tract infections are approximately 2.38 million people a year die from respiratory failure caused by infection. Although ACE is known to contribute to damage in septicemia, the pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis remain unclear. While mortality can be significantly reduced through effective and sensitive antibiotic therapy, antibiotic resistance restricts the use of these drugs, and the investigation of novel agents and targets is therefore essential. Our aim was to determine whether Perindopril (PER) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capable of preventing these adverse conditions resulting in injury in previous studies.

MAIN METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into the control group, received oral saline solution alone for four days. the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group, underwent only cecal ligation and puncture induced sepsis, while the CLP + PER (2 mg/kg) underwent cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis together with oral administration of 2 mg/kg PER for four days before induction of sepsis.

KEY FINDINGS

Malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Caspase-3 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kβ/p65) levels increased in the CLP group. On the other hand, PER (2 mg/kg) oral administration to septic rats decreased MDA, TNF-α and increase glutathione (GSH) in the lung tissue. In addition, PER administration also decreased the lung tissue NF-κB and Caspase-3 immunopositivity against sepsis.

SIGNIFICANCE

PER treatment may represent a promising means of preventing sepsis-induced lung injury via antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects.