Aurintricarboxylic acid mitigates cigarette smoke extract induced oxidative stress and pulmonary inflammation via inhibition of NF-ҡB/p65 signaling

Cigarette smoke (CS) induced emphysema and chronic pulmonary inflammation are major comorbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CS exposure exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and compromises immunity to various infections. Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) is a polyanionic aromatic compound especially recognized for its anti-inflammatory, nucleic acid, and protein interaction inhibition properties. The study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory role of ATA against cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced pulmonary inflammation. Nicotine concentration was quantified in CSE by UPLC/MS technique. In vitro, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry was performed in CSE stimulated alveolar epithelial cells to determine the effect of ATA on oxidative stress-mediated cellular apoptosis. In vivo, pulmonary inflammation was induced in male Wistar rats via a modified non-invasive intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke extract (100 µl/animal) twice a week for 8 weeks and post-treated with ATA (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 15 days. Lung homogenates were assessed for MDA and GSH. Lung tissues were subjected to western blotting and histopathological analysis. As result, ATA reduced CSE-induced chromatin condensation, fragmentation, cellular apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells, and apoptotic biomarkers expression including BAX and Caspase-3 in the lungs. ATA reduced inflammation by normalizing redox balance reflected by MDA/GSH levels. ATA obviated airspace enlargement, fiber deposition, and immune cell infiltration. Reduced inflammation was accompanied by inhibition of inflammatory biomarkers TNF-α, TNFR1, TWEAK, and NF-ҡB/p65 activation and nuclear translocation. ATA efficaciously diminished the oxidative stress and pulmonary inflammation associated with lung pathogenesis through TNF-α/TNFR1/NF-ҡB/p65 signaling pathway. HIGHLIGHTSATA treatment attenuates CSE-stimulated chromatin condensation, fragmentation, and cellular apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells.ATA treatment inhibits CSE stimulated activation and nuclear translocation of NF-ҡB/p65.ATA treatment diminishes CSE-induced oxidant injury, apoptosis, and emphysema-like phenotypic changes in the lungs.ATA inhibits lung inflammation via suppression of the NF-ҡB/p65 signaling pathway.

Aurintricarboxylic acid protects isoproterenol induced left ventricular hypertrophy by modulating TWEAK signaling

BACKGROUND

Cardiac hypertrophy is regarded as a compensation mechanism to overcome the increased workload. Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) is a derivative of quinomethanes and a selective inhibitor of TWEAK/Fn14 pathway. In this study, we investigated the effect of ATA on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODS

Cardiac hypertrophy in H9C2 cells was induced using ISO 20 μM dissolved in PBS. H9C2 cells were treated with ATA (5 µM, 10 µM, 20 µM) followed by ISO stimulation for 24 h. Male SD rats were injected ISO (5 mg/kg/day, s.c) for 21 days and followed by treatment with ATA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days. Cardiac functions were assessed. After sacrifice, hearts were subjected to histopathological and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

In in-vitro results, upon ATA treatment, ICC results showed significant decrease in TWEAK and ANP expression. In in-vivo results, echocardiography showed significant restoration of cardiac function in ATA treated rats. Histopathological analysis showed a significant decrease in left ventricular wall thickness, cardiomyocytes width and reduced fibrosis in ATA treated rats. Western blotting showed decreased expression of the cardiac hypertrophy maker ANP, inflammatory markers including TWEAK and apoptotic markers after ATA treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway could be a potential target for therapeutic exploration in ISO induced cardiac hypertrophy. ATA, as an inhibitor of this pathway, exerted significant cardioprotective effect against ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Ethanolic Extract of Tridax procumbens Mitigates Pulmonary Inflammation via Inhibition of NF-κB/p65/ERK Mediated Signalling in an Allergic Asthma Model

BACKGROUND

Tridax procumbens is a traditionally used medicinal plant with high content of active phytoconstituents having anti-inflammatory activity. Accumulating evidences have shown that Tridax procumbens efficaciously diminished oxidative stress and inflammation. However the anti-inflammatory role of Tridax procumbens is not obscured in allergic asthma.

PURPOSE

Aim of this study was to decipher the anti-inflammatory role of Tridax procumbens in allergic asthma and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens (TP) was prepared and major phytoconstituents (flavonoids) were characterized by biochemical and UPLC/MS analysis. Rats were sensitized and challenged with environmental allergen ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish an allergic asthma model. Persuasive anti-inflammatory role of TP was demonstrated in vivo (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and in vitro (250, 125, 75 and 25 µg/ml) experiments.

RESULTS

Characterization by UPLC/MS analysis showed the presence of various bioactive flavonoids. In in vitro study, significant reduction in ROS production, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were observed in alveolar type II cells upon pre-treatment with TP (250, 125, 75 and 25 µg/ml) in a concentration-dependant manner. In vivo, TP (200 mg/kg) oral administration showed robust anti-oxidative activity. TP treatment abrogated bronchial wall thickening, immune cell infiltration and bronchial wall fibre deposition. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the diminished expression of IL-1β, IL-6 in bronchial epithelium and vascular endothelium. TP abrogated inflammation by reducing the level of inflammatory cytokines including IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-6 and MCP-1, as well as inflammatory markers including TWEAK, TNF-α, TNF-R1 and its downstream transcription factor NF-ҡB/p65 activation and its nuclear translocation. Western blot analysis of TP treated lung tissue and alveolar type II cells showed reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 significantly.

CONCLUSION

TP exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of ROS production and down-regulation of NF-ҡB/ERK signalling in vitro and in vivo asthma model. Thus, TP can be envisaged as an effective anti-inflammatory agent for OVA-induced allergic asthma.

Cigarette smoke extract triggers neoplastic change in lungs and impairs locomotor activity through wnt3a-β-catenin signaling in aged COPD rodent model

BACKGROUND

Chronic cigarette smoking primes immense decline in lung functions and retardation of motor functions with increase in age. This raise the question of whether age status overwhelm the susceptibility to smoking induced lung inflammatory diseases and neuro-motor dysfunctions.

METHODS

To study the hypothesis 11-12 month old aged wistar rats (n = 6) were administered cigarette smoke extract (CSE) through intraperitoneal route (0.5 ml/rat) twice a week for 2 months. Respiratory lung functions were measured through whole body plethysmography. Lung histopathological evaluation and neuronal degeneration were observed by using H&E, picrosirius red and nissl staining respectively. Motor function tests were done through panel of neuro-behavioral tests and protein expressions were performed in lung and brain tissue homogenates through western blotting.

RESULTS

Sub-chronic CSE exposure worsened the lung functions including decreased tidal volume (p < 0.05), peak inspiratory flow (p < 0.05) and enhanced pause (p < 0.05). Grossly, solid neoplastic lesions were visible on the supra-lateral surface of the lungs of the CSE treated animals. Histopathological examination revealed immune cell infiltration, dominated with macrophages and alveolar type II cells stained positive for PCNA. Increased expression of BAX, PCNA, Wnt-3a, p-β-catenin (p < 0.05) was seen in the lungs of CSE treated aged animals. Elevated expression of inflammatory markers including NF-ϏB, TNF-α, TNF-R1, p-AKT was found in CSE treated lung tissues. Moreover, our result showed increased MCP-1, VEGF and IL-6 levels in BALF and plasma (p < 0.01) which might lead to neo-vascularization and excessive cell proliferation in lungs of CSE induced rats. Sub-chronic cigarette smoke exposure retarded the motor activity with suppression of D1 and D2 receptor expression in brain tissues. Brain tissue revealed the abundance of hyperchromatic and pyknotic nuclei suggesting neuronal degeneration.

CONCLUSION

So in conclusion, chronic cigarette smoking in old age creates susceptibility to fast onset of lung inflammatory diseases and neuro-motor retardation than their nonsmoker counterparts.

Effect of supplementation with rumen-protected choline and green tea extract on production performance of transition Karan Fries cows

Aim:

The main objective of this study was to estimate the effect of supplementation of rumen-protected choline (RPC) and green tea extract (GTE) on production parameters in transition Karan Fries (KF) cows.

Materials and Methods:

The present experiment was carried out on 32 pregnant KF cows. In the control group, cows were fed basal diet. In T1, each cow was fed RPC (55 g/day), in T2 – GTE (3 g/d), and in T3– RPC + GTE (55+3) g/day along with basal diet. The duration of the experiment was 30 days before calving to 60 days after parturition.

Results:

Feeding of both RPC and GTE significantly increased milk yield (p≤0.01), 4% fat corrected milk yield (p≤0.01), milk fat (p≤0.01), and total solid content (p≤0.05) than control. There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) in milk protein, lactose, and solids not fat (SNF) content among the groups.

Conclusion:

Supplementing RPC and GTE in combination improved milk yield and fat content of the milk without altering protein, lactose content of the milk in transition KF cows.

Exploring the effects of inclusion of dietary fresh Azolla on the performance of White Pekin broiler ducks

Aim:

The objective of this study was to investigate the dietary advantages of inclusion of unconventional nutrient source, i.e., Azolla in the basal diet of White Pekin broilers.

Materials and Methods:

All ducklings were randomly distributed into three treatment groups with three replicates each and each replicate having 12 ducklings and were reared in deep litter system. Groups were subjected to three dietary treatments such as G₁: Basal diet, G₂: Basal diet + 5% fresh Azolla of basal diet, G₃: Basal diet + 10% fresh Azolla of basal diet. During experimental period, parameters, such as bodyweight, bodyweight gain, feed consumption,feed conversion ratio(FCR), and economic of production,wererecorded.

Results:

The result showed that body weights in every week, except the 5^th week, did not differ significantly between groups. However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in any week in terms of absolute body weight gain and feed consumption. As regard to FCR, the 10% Azolla group (G₃) showed the best feed efficiency followed by the 5% Azolla group (G₂) and the control group (G₁). On the basis of profit/bird or profit/kg live weight, each of the Azolla-fed group showed a higher economic efficiency than the control.

Conclusion:

From the experiment, it was concluded that Azollaat 5 or 10% level can be included in the diet to economize the White Pekin broiler farming, and it can be great impetus to poultry farming to include unconventional nutrient source as a dietary supplement.