Phosphodiesterase1 inhibitor "Vinpocetine" ameliorates the inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by cyclophosphamide in urinary bladder: an experimental study

Prospective observational study of oxidative stress in the pathology of benign prostatic hyperplasia with bladder diverticulum

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress contributes to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) pathogenesis, but its role in BPH with bladder diverticulum is unclear.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study compared 126 BPH patients at the Second Hospital of Harbin Medical University. The study involved two groups (n = 63 for each group): group A, comprising patients with BPH, and group B, consisting of BPH patients with bladder diverticulum. Ultrasound imaging and CT scans were employed to assess the features of BPH and bladder diverticulum, respectively. Various clinical parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Group B exhibited significantly higher creatinine (101.8 ± 27.6 µmol/L vs. 56.1 ± 23.6 µmol/L, p < 0.0001), WBC counts (7.0 ± 1.9 vs. 4.2 ± 1.3 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.0001), residual urine volume (400.1 ± 252.0 mL vs. 150.7 ± 93.9 mL, p < 0.0001), and oxidative stress markers, including 8-OHdG (1.93 ± 0.58 vs. 1.70 ± 0.73 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.014) and MDA (2.46 ± 0.57 vs. 2.03 ± 0.57 μmol/L, p < 0.0001). In group A, 8-OHdG positively correlated with residual urine volume (rho = 0.68) and nitric oxide with bladder wall thickness (rho = 0.70), while quality of life (QoL) negatively correlated with nitric oxide (rho = -0.76). In group B, oxidative stress markers correlated positively with BMI (e.g., homocysteine, rho = 0.69) and bladder wall thickness (e.g., nitric oxide, rho = 0.69), with QoL negatively correlated with uric acid (rho = -0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

Bladder diverticulum in BPH patients is associated with elevated oxidative stress, increased inflammation, and impaired bladder function.

Vinpocetine Mitigates Methotrexate-Induced Liver Injury in Rats Through Modulating Intercellular Communication

Methotrexate (MTX) has been widely implemented in managing several malignancies, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatic arthritis, and autoimmune illnesses. Hepatotoxicity is a significant side effect of MTX, characterized by increased oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. Vinpocetine (Vinpo) is a prescription medication with a favorable safety profile. It exerts anti-inflammatory and oxidant implications that might be novel candidates for protecting against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. This study investigates the therapeutic impact of Vinpo against MTX-stimulated liver damage via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathways. Rats are allocated into three groups: (1) the Control (saline); (2) the MTX-control (20 mg/kg; injected once i.p.), and (3) the Vinpo + MTX groups. Vinpo was administered orally for 7 days, during which MTX was given intraperitoneally once at the end of Day 3. The liver functions, OS markers, inflammatory mediators, Nrf2, HO-1, NF-κB, and apoptotic signals were estimated. Vinpo lead to enhancement in superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, elevation in glutathione (GSH), and a hindrance in malondialdehyde (MDA). It also enhances Nrf2 and HO-1, inhibiting NF-κB (p65) expression and apoptotic markers. Moreover, Vinpo therapy, in conjunction with MTX, restores the normal histological structure of hepatic tissues. Our data suggested that Vinpo exerts a preventive effect against MTX-induced toxicity through anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic activities, mediated via Nrf2/HO-1/Nf-κB and caspase-3/Bax/Bcl-2 pathways.

Piperine mitigates oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the testicular damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mice

Although cyclophosphamide (CP) has been approved as an anticancer drug, its toxic effect on most organs, especially the testis, has been established. Piperine (PIP) is an alkaloid that has antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was investigated the protective effects of PIP on CP-induced testicular toxicity in the mice. In this experimental study, 48 adult male BALB/c mice (30-35 g) were divided into six groups (n = 8), receiving normal saline (C), 5 mg/kg of PIP (PIP5), 10 mg/kg of PIP (PIP10), 200 mg/kg of CP, 200 mg/kg of CP + PIP5, and 200 mg/kg of CP + PIP10. On the eighth day of the study, blood and testis samples were prepared for serum testosterone hormone quantification, sperm analysis, histological, and immunohistochemical assays. The results of this study showed that CP induced testicular toxicity with the decrease of sperm count, motility, and viability. Also, CP treatment caused histological structure alterations in the testis, including exfoliation, degeneration, vacuolation of spermatogenic cells, and reducing the thickness of the epithelium and the diameter of the seminiferous tubule. In addition, CP decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Caspase-3, and NF-κB. At the same time, PIP treatment reduced testicular histopathological abnormalities, oxidative stress, and apoptosis that were induced by CP. These results showed that PIP improved CP-induced testicular toxicity in mice, which can be related to its antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Protective potential of pterostilbene against cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity and cystitis in rats

PURPOSE

Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is an antitumor drug. However, in addition to its antitumor affect, CYP can also lead to nephrotoxicity and hemorrhagic cystitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential protective effects of Pterostilbene (Pte), a natural antioxidant as a resveratrol analog against CYP-induced nephrotoxicity and cystitis in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-one male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 equal groups. The control group and the CYP group (CYPG) received 1 ml/kg sunflower oil per day, and the CYP + Pte group (CYP + PteG) 40 mg/kg per day Pte dissolved in sunflower oil once a day via the oral route for 14 days. In addition, on day 9 of the experiment, CYPG and CYP + PteG received a single dose of 200 mg/kg CYP dissolved in saline solution, while the control group received a single dose of 10 ml/kg saline solution, via the intraperitoneal route. Bladder and kidney tissues were collected for histological and biochemical evaluations.

RESULTS

Pte was observed to reduce CYP-derived increases in malondialdehyde level, total oxidant status (TOS), the oxidative stress index (OSI), and apoptosis in kidney tissues and to cause an increase in superoxide dismutase levels. It also reduced CYP-derived increases in TOS, OSI, and apoptosis in bladder tissue. Moreover, Pte also ameliorated histopathological findings associated with CYP-induced tissue damage in both the kidney and bladder.

CONCLUSION

Our study findings show that Pte may exhibit a protective effect against CYP-induced nephrotoxicity and cystitis.