Protection of lutein against the neurotoxicity of cisplatin in the rat brain

One of the biggest problems of cancer treatment is the harmful effects of these drugs on the healthy tissues and organs of the organism. Our study aims to determine the possible protective effects of Lutein (L) against the toxicity of the pharmacological substance Cisplatin (CS), which is used in the treatment of cancer, in the brain of rats, through biochemical and histopathological tests. In our study, lutein (L) (100 mg/kg, orally) was administered for brain toxicity caused by CS (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). The study was completed in 7 days with a total of 28 rats from 4 groups, each consisting of 7 subjects. Control, L, CS and CS + L. A decrease in MDA level and an increase in CAT, GSH and SOD levels were observed in the CS + L group compared to the CS group. In histopathological examinations, no significant pathological changes were detected in the cerebrum, while degeneration in Purkinje cells and apoptosis in neurons in the molecular and granular layers in the cerebellum were detected. It is understood from the study that L alleviates the results of oxidative stress, increases antioxidant functions and positively supports brain functions. It also demonstrates the ability of L to prevent CS-induced brain damage. Ultimately, L appears to be a applicable pharmacological agent in this damage.

Protective effect of misoprostol against paclitaxel-induced cardiac damage in rats

OBJECTIVE

One of the most critical reasons for limiting cancer treatment is the toxic effects of anti-cancer drugs on healthy tissues and organs. This study aims to investigate the possible protective effects of misoprostol (MS) against the damage that arises from paclitaxel (PT), an anti-cancer pharmacological agent, in the rat heart using histopathological and biochemical analyses.

METHODS

In this study, four groups, each containing seven animals, were formed by random selection from 28 Sprague Dawley female rats. Control group rats were administered 1 ml of normal saline orally and intraperitoneally (i.p.) for six days. While the PT group rats were administered PT at a dose of 2 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) on days 0, 2, 4, and 6, the MS group was administered MS at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg in 1 ml normal saline by oral gavage for six days. PT and MS were administered to the PT + MS group rats in the same dose and route as the previous groups.

RESULTS

Administration of PT increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. PT administration also decreased the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the heart tissue while increasing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05). In histopathological examinations, pathological changes, such as edema, congestion, hemorrhage, apoptosis, and degeneration, occurred in the heart tissue of PT-treated rats. The negative changes in histopathological and biochemical parameters that occurred in the PT group were almost not observed in the PT + MS group (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

When the findings were evaluated, it was concluded that MS protects the heart tissue from the harmful effects of PT, probably due to its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and TNF-alpha suppressive effects.

Silymarin, an antioxidant flavonoid, protects the liver from the toxicity of the anticancer drug paclitaxel

One of the biggest factors that negatively affect the cancer treatment plan is the toxic effects of chemotherapeutics on non-target cells and tissues. This information prompted us to investigate the protective effects of silymarin (SL), a hepatoprotective agent, against the hepatotoxic effects of the anticancer drug paclitaxel (PAC). Four groups were formed from 28 rats as control, PAC (2 mg/kg), SL (100 mg/kg) and PAC + SL (combination of PAC with SL). After completing the experimental procedures, the tissues collected after anesthesia were analyzed by Western blot, qRT-PCR, biochemical, stereological, immunohistochemical, and histopathological techniques. Administration of PAC significantly increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Bax, cytochrome-c (cyt-c), and active caspase-3, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver tissue and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels compared with the control group. PAC also resulted in a significant increase in serum triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels compared with the control group. Pathological changes such as microvesicular steatosis, the formation of Councilman bodies, an increase in total sinusoidal volume, and a decrease in the total number of hepatocytes were observed in the liver tissue of the PAC group. Almost all analysis results in the PAC + SL group were similar to those in the control group, and no significant pathological alterations were observed in this group. The data obtained show that SL protects the liver from the harmful effects of PAC, especially thanks to its TNF-α suppressor, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects. Based on this result, in cases where PAC is used in cancer treatment, it can be recommended to be used together with SL to prevent harmful effects on healthy liver tissue and to continue treatment uninterruptedly and effectively.

Thymoquinone ameliorates amikacin induced oxidative damage in rat brain tissue

We investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on amikacin (AK) induced oxidative damage in rat brain. We used 21 male rats divided randomly into three equal groups. The control group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.5 ml 0.9% aqueous NaCl and given 1 ml 0.9% aqueous NaCl orally. The AK group was administered 1.2 g/kg aqueous AK i.p. as a single dose on the day 3 of the study. The AK + TQ group was given a single 1.2 g/kg dose of AK i.p. on the day 3 of the study plus 40 mg/kg/day TQ by oral gavage daily. Treatment with TQ increased serum ferritin and decreased serum calcium levels significantly. TQ also decreased NADPH oxidase-2, NADPH oxidase-4, and caspase-3 levels. Decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were detected in the AK + TQ group compared to the AK group. TQ administration inhibited lipid peroxide formation and blocked oxidative reactions, which reduced the MDA level and increased SOD and CAT activities induced by AK. Oxidative damage caused by AK was ameliorated by TQ treatment owing to its antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects. TQ may be a potential therapeutic agent for reducing the severity of AK induced oxidative damage to the brain.