Taurine as a protective agent for 5-fluorouracil-induced hepatic damage related to oxidative stress

Alleviation of taurine on liver injury of type 2 diabetic rats by improving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and reduced insulin production, which causes abnormally elevated blood glucose. It has been reported that T2DM can enhance oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and stimulate a variety of complications including liver injury. Studies have shown that taurine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can not only ameliorate diabetes but also alleviate liver injury caused by various diseases. However, its effect on liver injury in T2DM is not clear. In our study, a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce liver injury in T2DM rats, and taurine was given as a treatment. Through the use of HE staining on paraffin sections, ELISA, and qRT-PCR, the effects of taurine on liver pathological alterations, antioxidant capacity, and inflammatory response were investigated. We found that: hepatic transaminase levels of rats were reduced significantly following taurine administration; histopathological observations revealed that the morphology of rat hepatocytes was close to normal, and the number of inflammatory cells around liver vessels was significantly reduced; antioxidant-related indicators were significantly increased, including SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and T-AOC, while related factors of the Nrf2 signalling pathway and its downstream HO-1, NQO1 and γ-GCS were significantly increased; the expression of the JAK2-STAT1 signalling pathway, TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway and NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle-related factors were significantly reduced. Our results suggest taurine can alleviate T2DM-induced liver injury by improving the antioxidant capacity of the liver and inhibiting macrophage M1-type polarization and the inflammatory response mediated thereby.

The hepatotoxicity of γ-radiation synthesized 5-fluorouracil nanogel versus 5-fluorouracil in rats model

INTRODUCTION

The clinical use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a routinely used chemotherapy medication, has a deleterious impact on the liver. Therefore, it is necessary to find a less harmful alternative to minimize liver damage. This study was designed to see how 5-fluorouracil nanogel influenced 5-FU-induced liver damage in rats.

METHODS

To induce liver damage, male albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with 5-FU (12.5 mg/kg) three doses/week for 1 month. The histopathological examination together with measuring the activities of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes (ALT and AST) were used to evaluate the severity of liver damage besides, hepatic oxidative stress and antioxidant markers were also measured. The hepatic gene expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its inhibitor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1(Keap-1) in addition to hepatic inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6) were detected.

RESULTS

5-Fu nanogel effectively attenuated 5-FU-induced liver injury by improving the hepatic structure and function (ALT and AST) besides the suppression of the hepatic inflammatory mediators (TNF- α, IL-1β and IL-6). Additionally, 5-FU nanogel alleviated the impaired redox status and restored the antioxidant system via maintaining the cellular homeostasis Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, 5-Fu nanogel exhibited lower liver toxicity compared to 5-FU, likely due to the alleviation of hepatic inflammation and the regulation of the cellular redox pathway.

Role of Platelet-activating factor and HO-1 in mediating the protective effect of rupatadine against 5-fluorouracil-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, but its hepatotoxicity challenges its clinical use. Thus, searching for a hepatoprotective agent is highly required to prevent the accompanied hepatic hazards. The current study aimed to investigate the potential benefit and mechanisms of action of rupatadine (RU), a Platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist, in the prevention of 5-FU-related hepatotoxicity in rats. Hepatotoxicity was developed in male albino rats by a single 5-FU (150 mg/kg) intra-peritoneal injection on the 7th day of the experiment. RU (3 mg/kg/day) was orally administrated to the rodents for 10 days. Hepatic toxicity was assessed by measuring both liver and body weights, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), hepatic oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide levels (NOx), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Inflammatory markers expressions (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukins; IL-1B, IL-6), the apoptotic marker (caspase-3), and PAF were measured in the hepatic tissue. 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity was proved by the biochemical along with histopathological assessments. RU ameliorated 5-FU-induced liver damage as proved by the improved serum ALT, AST, and hepatic oxidative stress parameters, the attenuated expression of hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines and PAF, and the up-regulation of HO-1. Therefore, it can be concluded that RU pretreatment exerted a hepatoprotective effect against 5-FU-induced liver damage through both its powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effect.

Establishment of patient-derived xenograft model of peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis with signet ring cells and in vivo study on the efficacy and toxicity of intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil

BACKGROUND

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an indolent malignancy and insensitive to systemic chemotherapy. The authors established patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of PMP, and evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in this model.

METHODS

Human PMP sample was collected to establish subcutaneous (s.c.) and i.p.

MODEL

In vivo study of i.p. injection of 5-FU was performed in i.p. model, with experimental peritoneal cancer index (ePCI) score and pathological examinations for evaluating the efficacy and toxicity.

RESULTS

Both s.c. and i.p. models were constructed. The average passage interval of s.c. model was 44.2 ± 5.2 days, and the i.p. model was characterized by disseminated solid tumor nodules in abdominal-pelvic cavity. Both models were diagnosed as peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis with signet ring cells (PMCA-S). Immunohistochemical characteristics was similar to human. GNAS mutation was detected in both model and patient. In the in vivo study, average ePCI of treatment group was lower than control and vehicle group (P = .004). Histopathology revealed obvious tumor necrosis in treatment group, and decreased Ki67 positive rate (P = .010). In toxicity study, 5-FU significantly influenced body weight (P = .010) and 1 animal from treatment group died on day 14. Congestive splenomegaly was observed (88.9%). Hepatotoxicity presented as acidophilic body (55.6%), cholestasis (100%), bile canaliculus hyperplasia and obstruction (22.2%), and lymphocyte accumulation (77.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

PDX model of PMCA-S was established successfully, and i.p. 5-FU could inhibit tumor proliferation and progression, with decreased Ki67 positive rate and ePCI score. Hepatotoxicity was the main side effect.