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Mohammedsaleh ZM, Hassanein EHM, Ali FEM, Althagafy HS, Al-Abbas NS, Atwa AM. Perindopril Dampens Cd-induced Nephrotoxicity by Suppressing Inflammatory Burden, Ang II/Ang 1-7, and Apoptosis Signaling Pathways. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:3193-3203. [PMID: 37848587 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03907-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most abundant toxic heavy metals, and its exposure is linked to serious kidney intoxication, a major health problem. Evidence reported that inflammatory damage is a key factor in Cd renal intoxication. Perindopril (PER) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor approved for treating hypertension and other cardiovascular problems. Significantly, RAS activation results in inflammatory damage. Our study aimed to examine the renoprotective effects of PER in Cd-induced nephrotoxicity, the impact of inflammation, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. PER was given at a dose of 1 mg/kg per day. Cd was injected at a dose of 1.2 mg/kg, as a single dose. Treatment with PER led to a significant decrease in serum levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio. PER effectively mitigated inflammation by decreasing MPO, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and INF-γ levels mediated by downregulating NF-κB expression and suppressing JAK-1 and STAT3 phosphorylation. PER modulates Ang II/Ang 1-7 axis in Cd-intoxicated rats by decreasing Ang II expression and increasing Ang-(1-7) expression. PER inhibits Cd-induced apoptosis by lowering Bax, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase 3 expressions while increasing Bcl-2 expression. In conclusion, PER dampens Cd-induced kidney intoxication by modulating Ang II/Ang 1-7 axis, suppressing NF-κB, JAK-1/STAT3, and apoptosis signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuhair M Mohammedsaleh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, 71491, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt.
| | - Hanan S Althagafy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf S Al-Abbas
- Department of Biology, Jamoum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, 21955, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Atwa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Cairo, Egypt
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Abd El-Aal SA, El-Sayyad SM, El-Gazar AA, Salaheldin Abdelhamid Ibrahim S, Essa MA, Abostate HM, Ragab GM. Boswellic acid and apigenin alleviate methotrexate-provoked renal and hippocampal alterations in rats: Targeting autophagy, NOD-2/NF-κB/NLRP3, and connexin-43. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 134:112147. [PMID: 38718656 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The neuronal and renal deteriorations observed in patients exposed to methotrexate (MTX) therapy highlight the need for medical interventions to counteract these complications. Boswellic acid (BA) and apigenin (APG) are natural phytochemicals with prominent neuronal and renal protective impacts in various ailments. However, their impacts on MTX-provoked renal and hippocampal toxicity have not been reported. Thus, the present work is tailored to clarify the ability of BA and APG to counteract MTX-provoked hippocampal and renal toxicity. BA (250 mg/kg) or APG (20 mg/kg) were administered orally in rats once a day for 10 days, while MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered once on the sixth day of the study. At the histopathological level, BA and APG attenuated MTX-provoked renal and hippocampal aberrations. They also inhibited astrocyte activation, as proven by the inhibition of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). These impacts were partially mediated via the activation of autophagy flux, as proven by the increased expression of beclin1, LC3-II, and the curbing of p62 protein, alongside the regulation of the p-AMPK/mTOR nexus. In addition, BA and APG displayed anti-inflammatory features as verified by the damping of NOD-2 and p-NF-κB p65 to reduce TNF-α, IL-6, and NLRP3/IL-1β cue. These promising effects were accompanied with a notable reduction in one of the gap junction proteins, connexin-43 (Conx-43). These positive impacts endorse BA and APG as adjuvant modulators to control MTX-driven hippocampal and nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Abd El-Aal
- Department of Pharmacy, Kut University College, Al Kut, Wasit 52001, Iraq.
| | - Shorouk M El-Sayyad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza 12585, Egypt
| | - Amira A El-Gazar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza 12585, Egypt
| | | | - Marwa A Essa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza 12585, Egypt
| | - Heba M Abostate
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Ghada M Ragab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza 12585, Egypt
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Abdel-Reheim MA, Ali GF, Hassanein EHM, Mohamed WR. Role of Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin signals in the pathogenesis of methotrexate-induced testicular intoxication in rats and the protective effect of diacerein. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:4235-4246. [PMID: 38060042 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02876-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is an inhibitor of folic acid reductase used in managing a variety of malignancies. Testicular injury by MTX is one of its serious adverse effects. The current investigation aims to assess the protective effects of diacerein (DIA) on testicular injury by MTX and clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. Testicular injury in rats was induced by a single injection of 20 mg/kg body weight of MTX. DIA was given in 25 mg/kg body weight/day and 50 mg/kg body weight/day doses for 10 days. Compared to the MTX group, DIA attenuated testicular intoxication as evidenced by improvement of testicular histopathological abnormalities and increased serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone. DIA attenuated testicular oxidative stress changes by lowering testicular MDA and boosting GSH content and SOD activity. Moreover, administration of DIA attenuated MTX-induced testicular inflammation, as proved by decreased TNF-α and IL-6. At the molecular level, DIA induced significant upregulation in Nrf2, HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin protein expression. The present results proved that DIA, in a dose-dependent manner, exhibited notable amelioration of testicular toxicity induced by MTX through augmentation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects combined by upregulating Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, 11961, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Gaber F Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Wafaa R Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt.
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Arafa ESA, Hassanein EHM, Ibrahim NA, Buabeid MA, Mohamed WR. Involvement of Nrf2-PPAR-γ signaling in Coenzyme Q10 protecting effect against methotrexate-induced testicular oxidative damage. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111566. [PMID: 38364740 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Studies have identified Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as a promising agent in improving idiopathic male infertility; however, its role in chemically or environmentally induced testicular dysfunction is not well-established. We investigated the potential of CoQ10 to attenuate methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular damage and to identify molecular targets of CoQ10 effects. Wistar rats received a single intraperitoneal dose of 20 mg/kg MTX on the fifth day of the 10-day experimental protocol. 100 mg/kg CoQ10 was given orally daily for ten days, alone or combined with MTX. The testes of MTX-treated animals showed thickened tunica albuginea, distortion of seminiferous tubules with a marked reduction of germinal lining, a few primary spermatocytes with no spermatozoa, apoptotic cells, congested sub-capsular and interstitial blood vessels, and interstitial edema. Reduction of reproductive hormones and increased oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic biomarkers levels were also seen in the MTX-treated rats. CoQ10 + MTX-treated rats were protected against MTX-induced testicular histological changes and showed improvement in testosterone, luteinizing-, and follicle-stimulating hormone serum levels compared to the MTX group. The testes of the CoQ10 + MTX-treated rats showed reduced malondialdehyde, myloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor -α, interleukin-6 and -1β and Bax: Bcl2 ratio and enhanced glutathione, and catalase compared to MTX alone. CoQ10 enhanced MTX-induced downregulation of Nrf2 and PPAR-γ signaling and modulated its downstream targets, the inducible nitric oxide synthase, NF-κB, Bax, and Bcl2. In conclusion, CoQ10 targeted the Nrf2-PPAR-γ signaling loop and its downstream pathways, mitigating MTX-induced oxidative stress-related damages and alleviating the testicular dysfunction MTX caused. Our data suggest Nrf2-PPAR-γ signaling as a potential therapeutic target in testicular toxicity, where oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis trigger damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- El-Shaimaa A Arafa
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates; Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research (CMBAHSR), Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt.
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Nihal A Ibrahim
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates; Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research (CMBAHSR), Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Manal A Buabeid
- Fatima College of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wafaa R Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt.
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Abd-Alhameed EK, Azouz AA, Abo-Youssef AM, Ali FEM. The enteroprotective effect of nifuroxazide against methotrexate-induced intestinal injury involves co-activation of PPAR-γ, SIRT1, Nrf2, and suppression of NF-κB and JAK1/STAT3 signals. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 127:111298. [PMID: 38070469 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) has long manifested therapeutic efficacy in several neoplastic and autoimmune disorders. However, MTX-associated intestinal toxicity restricts the continuation of treatment. Nifuroxazide (NIF) is an oral antibiotic approved for gastrointestinal infections as an effective antidiarrheal agent with a high safety profile. The current study was designed to explore the potential efficacy of NIF in alleviating intestinal toxicity associated with MTX chemotherapy with the elucidation of the proposed molecular mechanisms. Rats were administered NIF (50 mg/kg; p.o.) for ten days. On day five, a single i.p. injection of MTX (20 mg/kg) was given to induce intestinal intoxication. At the end of the experiment, duodenal tissue samples were isolated for biochemical, Western blotting, immunohistochemical (IHC), and histopathological analysis via H&E, PSA, and Alcian blue stains. NIF showed antioxidant enteroprotective effects against MTX intestinal intoxication through enhanced expression of the redox-sensitive signals of PPAR-γ, SIRT1, and Nrf2 estimated by IHC. Moreover, NIF down-regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), NF-κB protein expression, and the phosphorylation of JAK1/STAT3 proteins, leading to mitigation of intestinal inflammation. In accordance, the histological investigation revealed that NIF ameliorated the intestinal pathological changes, preserved the goblet cells, and reduced the inflammatory cells infiltration. Therefore, NIF could be a promising candidate for adjunctive therapy with MTX to mitigate the associated intestinal injury and increase its tolerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esraa K Abd-Alhameed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Amany A Azouz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt.
| | - Amira M Abo-Youssef
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt.
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Althagafy HS, Sharawi ZW, Batawi AH, Almohaimeed HM, Al-Thubiani WS, Hassanein EHM, Rateb A. Buspirone attenuated methotrexate-induced hippocampal toxicity in rats by regulating Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, NF-κB/nNOS, and ROS/NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathways. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23414. [PMID: 37341015 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used to treat a variety of tumors. Nonetheless, MTX-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity is a well-defined dose-limiting adverse effect that limits clinical utility. Proinflammatory cytokine production and oxidative stress are possible mechanisms for MTX-induced neurotoxicity. Buspirone (BSP), a partial agonist of the 5-HT1a receptor (5-HT1aR), has emerged as an anxiolytic drug. BSP has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The current study investigated BSP's potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in attenuating MTX-induced hippocampal toxicity. Rats received either BSP (1.5 mg/kg) orally for 10 days and MTX (20 mg/kg) i.p. on Day 5. BSP administration markedly protected hippocampal neurons from drastic degenerated neuronal changes induced by MTX. BSP significantly attenuated oxidative injury by downregulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 expression while potently elevating hippocampal Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor expression. BSP dampened inflammation by reducing NO2 - , tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and interleukin 1 beta levels mediated by downregulating NF-κB and neuronal nitric oxides synthase expression. Moreover, BSP potently counteracted hippocampal pyroptosis by downregulating NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved-caspase-1 proteins. Therefore, BSP may represent a promising approach to attenuate neurotoxicity in patients receiving MTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan S Althagafy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeina W Sharawi
- Department Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashwaq H Batawi
- Department Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hailah M Almohaimeed
- Department of Basic Science, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wafa S Al-Thubiani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Amal Rateb
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Basic Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arbia
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Hassanein EHM, Ali FEM, Sayed MM, Mahmoud AR, Jaber FA, Kotob MH, Abd-Elhamid TH. Umbelliferone potentiates intestinal protective effect of Lactobacillus Acidophilus against methotrexate-induced intestinal injury: Biochemical and histological study. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102103. [PMID: 37178526 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal injury is a common adverse effect of methotrexate (MTX) therapy, limiting its clinical use. Despite oxidative stress and inflammation being the most embedded mechanism of injury, pharmacological agents that exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory impacts could prevent such toxicities. This study aimed to assess the enteroprotective effect of lactobacillus acidophilus (LB) and/or umbelliferone (UMB) against MTX-induced intestinal injury. Histologically, pretreatment with LB, UMB, or their combinations preserve the intestinal histological structure and mucin content with superior effect in combination therapy. In addition, oral pretreatment with UMB, LB, or their combinations significantly restored oxidant/antioxidant status, as evidenced by the upregulation of Nrf2, SOD3, HO-1, GSH, and GST levels concurrent with a decline in MDA contents. Besides, they suppressed the inflammatory burden by inhibiting STAT3, MPO, TLR4, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels. Moreover, LB, UMB, or their combinations significantly upregulated Wnt and β-catenin expression. Notably, pretreatment with the combination therapy is superior to monotherapy in protecting rats' small intestines from MTX-induced enteritis. In conclusion, combined pretreatment with LB and UMB could be a novel therapeutic regimen for conditions of intestinal injury induced by MTX via restoring oxidant/antioxidant balance and suppressing inflammatory burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt.
| | - Manal M Sayed
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Amany Refaat Mahmoud
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima A Jaber
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed H Kotob
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Tarek Hamdy Abd-Elhamid
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
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