β-Glucan ameliorates cisplatin-induced oxidative and histological damage in kidney and liver of rats

We investigated the effects of β-glucan (βg) on kidney and liver damage caused by cisplatin (CP), an antineoplastic agent widely used to treat many types of cancer, in a rat model. The side effects of CP in many tissues and organs limit its usage. βg is a natural polysaccharide that is an effective free radical scavenger. A total of 28 rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 was a non-intervention control, only feed and water were given. Group 2 was administered 7 mg/kg CP in a single dose. Group 3 was administered 50 mg/kg βg orally for 14 days. Group 4 was administered βg for 14 days, following a single dose of CP. At the end of the experiment, kidney and liver tissues were evaluated biochemically and histopathologically. Increased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels, as well as decreased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as histological damage, were noted in both the kidney and liver tissues of the CP group. However, βg treatment prevented the oxidative and histopathological effects of CP. The study demonstrates the protective efficacy of βg against CP-induced kidney and liver damage through the effect of its antioxidant properties.

Investigation into the protective effects of Naringenin in phthalates-induced reproductive damage

OBJECTIVE

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, extensively used as a plasticizer in many products, including plastics, cosmetics, and medical devices. Naringenin (NAR) is a flavonoid belonging to the flavanones subclass. It is widely distributed in several citrus fruits, bergamot, tomatoes, and other fruits. It is also found in its glycoside form (mainly naringin). Several biological activities have been ascribed to this phytochemical: antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiadipogenic, and cardioprotective effects. This study hypothesized that phthalates' possible reproductive damage mechanism is oxidative attack, and naringenin could have a protective effect against radical forms in the body through its antioxidant properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two male rats were used in our study (n=8 each). Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, DBP, DBP +NAR and NAR. Phthalate (DBP) and NAR were administered through gastric oral gavage (phthalate group 500 mg/kg/day DBP; NAR group 50 mg/kg/day NAR). At the end of four weeks, testis tissue samples were taken under anesthesia. Testis tissue and blood samples were collected from the four groups in this study. Histological, biochemical and spermatological analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Tissue samples from the control and NAR groups showed normal histological appearance on light microscopy. The DBP group exhibited deterioration in seminiferous tubules, vascular congestion in capsule, vascular congestion between the seminiferous tubules, edema in the intestinal area and vacuolization, arrested spermatocytes in different stages of division; sloughing of cells into the seminiferous tubular lumen was observed. It was also observed that NAR treatment significantly inhibited and prevented the histopathological damage caused by DBP. Tissue TBARS, antioxidant parameters, sperm motility, sperm density and abnormal spermatozoon ratios were determined. As a result, it was shown that DBP caused oxidative damage by increasing TBARS levels and decreasing antioxidant parameters, increased abnormal sperm rate and decreased sperm motility, and concentration and histopathological damage, so the antioxidant activity of naringenin inhibited this damage.

CONCLUSIONS

DBP had toxic effects in rat testis tissue; NAR treatment ameliorated these effects. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.