Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods最新文献

This study aimed to investigate the effects of copper (CuSO₄) and zinc (ZnSO₄) overload on male reproductive toxicity and the potential of a polysaccharide extracted from green alga Chaetomorpha linum (PS) in mitigating their toxicities. Adult male mice strain of 25 ± 2 g of weight was subdivided into eight groups. Group 1 served as control; group 2 received PS (200 mg/kg), and groups 3 and 4 received intraperitoneally zinc (60 mg/kg b.w) and copper (33 mg/kg b.w), respectively. Group 5 received both zinc (60 mg/kg b.w) and copper (33 mg/kg b.w), group 6 received zinc (60 mg/kg b.w) associated with PS (200 mg/kg), group 7 received copper (33 mg/kg b.w) associated with PS (200 mg/kg), and group 8 received zinc (60 mg/kg b.w) and copper (33 mg/kg b.w) associated with PS (200 mg/kg). Results suggested that ZnSO₄ and CuSO₄ significantly decreased the functional sperm parameters. Furthermore, extended exposure to these elements increased oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of lipid peroxidation and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) indicating protein oxidative damage. This process also reduces the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which neutralize and catalyze free radicals. Histopathological changes in mice testis were also studied. However, the co-treatments with PS significantly reduced these effects and promoted the reproductive parameters in male mice. In conclusion, PS exhibited protective effects against zinc and copper-induced reproductive toxicity, making it a potential adjuvant treatment for testicular toxicity.

The fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is traditionally known for its anti-diabetic properties owing to its high content of furostanolic saponins, which can synergistically treat many human ailments. Non-enzymatic protein glycation leading to the formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) is a common pathophysiology observed in diabetic or prediabetic individuals, which can initiate the development of neurodegenerative disorders. A potent cellular source of glycation is Methyl Glyoxal, a highly reactive dicarbonyl formed as a glycolytic byproduct. We demonstrate the in vitro glycation arresting potential of Fenfuro®, a novel patented formulation of Fenugreek seed extract with clinically proven anti-diabetic properties, in Methyl-Glyoxal (MGO) adducts of three abundant amyloidogenic cellular proteins, alpha-synuclein, Serum albumin, and Lysozyme. A 0.25% w/v Fenfuro^® was able to effectively arrest glycation by more than 50% in all three proteins, as evidenced by AGE fluorescence. Glycation-induced amyloid formation was also arrested by more than 36%, 14% and 15% for BSA, Alpha-synuclein and Lysozyme respectively. An increase in MW by attachment of MGO was also partially prevented by Fenfuro^® as confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Glycation resulted in enhanced aggregation of the three proteins as revealed by Native PAGE and Dynamic Light Scattering. However, in the presence of Fenfuro^®, aggregation was arrested substantially, and the normal size distribution was restored. The results cumulatively indicated the lesser explored potential of direct inhibition of glycation by fenugreek seed in addition to its proven role in alleviating insulin resistance. Fenfuro^® boosts its therapeutic potential as an effective phytotherapeutic to arrest Type 2 diabetes.

The ability to assess cell proliferation and viability is essential for assessing new drug treatments, particularly in cancer drug discovery. This study describes a new method that uses a plate reader digital microscopy cell imaging and analysis system to assess cell proliferation and viability. This imaging system utilizes high throughput fluorescence microscopy with two fluorescent probes: cell membrane-impermeable SYTOX green and nuclear binding Hoechst-33342. Here we compare this technology to other known viability assays, namely: propidium iodide (PI)-based flow cytometry, and sulforhodamine B (SRB) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) based plate reader assays. These methods were assessed based on their effectiveness in detecting the cell numbers of two adherent cell lines and one suspension cell line. Automated cell imaging was most accurate at measuring cell number in both adherent and suspension cell lines. The PI-based flow cytometry method was more difficult to use with adherent cells, while the SRB and MTT assays had difficulties when monitoring cells in suspension. Despite these challenges, it was possible to obtain similar results when quantifying the effect of cytotoxic compounds. This study demonstrates that the digital microscopy automated cell imaging system is an effective method for assessing cell proliferation and the cytotoxic effect of compounds on both adherent and suspension cell lines.

In this work, we have analyzed the neuroprotective activity of marrubiin against MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) in rat brains. MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine) a neurotoxin was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.,) to rats and then treated using marrubiin. After marrubiin treatment, rats were trained, and tested for behavioral analyses like cognitive performance, open field test, rotarod test, grip strength test, beam walking test, the status of body weight, and striatal levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, DOPAC, homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid, the status of oxidative stress markers like LPO, protein carbonyl content (PCC), Xanthine oxidase (XO), and status of antioxidant enzyme levels like SOD, CAT, GPX in the striatum and hippocampal tissues, status of neuroinflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL1β, IL-6, and status of histological architecture in brain striatum were also analyzed. All these parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) abnormal in MPTP-induced rats. Marrubiin (MB) treated shows significant (p < 0.05) near normal behavioral restoration in cognitive performance, open field, rotarod, grip strength, and beam walking tests. Furthermore, the status of body weight, and levels of neurotransmitters, were also significantly (p < 0.05) reversed to near normalcy in marrubiin-treated rats. Similarly, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme levels in the striatum and hippocampal tissues, TNF-α, IL1β, IL-6 levels, and histological architecture were noted to be restored to near normalcy in marrubiin-treated rats. Collectively, our preliminary results highlight the neuroprotective ability of marrubiin. However, the cellular and biochemical mechanisms of marrubiin's neuroprotective ability have to be studied in detail.

Organophosphate (OP) poisoning, both accidental and with suicidal intent, is a global medical challenge. While the primary toxicity of these pesticides is based on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), case reports describe patients developing OP-mediated renal insufficiency. We set out to investigate possible pathomechanisms utilizing rat precision-cut kidney slices (PCKS). Depending on the method of investigation, PCKS were observed for a maximum of 10 days. PCKS exposed to OP compounds (malaoxon, malathion, paraoxon, parathion) showed a dose-dependent loss of viability and a reduction of total protein content over the course of 10 days. A concentration of 500 µM OP showed the most differences between OP compounds. After two days of incubation parathion showed a significantly lower level of viability than malathion. The respective effects of paraoxon and malaoxon were not significantly different from the control. However, effects of OP were only observed in concentrations exceeding those that were needed to achieve significant AChE inhibition in rat kidney tissue. In addition, we observed histological changes, without inducing LDH leakage. Overall, results suggest that OP exert effects in kidney tissue, that exceed those expected from the sole inhibition of AChE and vary between compounds. Without signs of necrosis, findings call for studies that address other possible pathomechanisms, including inflammatory response, oxidative stress or activation of apoptosis to further understand the nephrotoxicity of OP compounds. Monitoring oxon concentration over time, we demonstrated reduced enzyme-inhibiting properties in the presence of PCKS, suggesting interactions between OP compound and kidney tissue.

Nonylphenol (NP) is an organic pollutant and endocrine disruptor chemical that has harmful effects on the environment and living organisms. This study looked at whether kidney tissues subjected to increasing doses of nonylphenol generated alterations in histopathologic, pro-inflammatory, and autophagic markers. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of ten each: group I: healthy group, II: control (corn oil), group III: 25 μl/kg NP, group IV: 50 μl/kg NP, group V: 75 μl/kg NP. The kidney tissue samples were obtained for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses. The histological deteriorations observed in all NP groups included tubular epithelial cell degeneration, inflammation areas, and hemorrhage. The immunohistochemical investigations showed that NP significantly elevated the autophagy markers (Beclin-1, LC3A/B, p62), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), HIF-1α, and eNOS in group III, IV and V compared with group I and II. The biochemical analysis also revealed that pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) increased in correlation with the NP doses, but only IL-1β reached statistical significance in NP treated rats kidney tissue. The biochemical findings have been confirmed by the histological studies. The damage to renal tissue caused by NP exposure may worsen it by increasing inflammatory and autophagic markers.

Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may cause liver damage and liver dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the efficiency of normobaric oxygen (NBO) and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNCO) treatments on liver injury. For that purpose, 28 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (Control, CO, CO + NBO, and CO + HFNCO). The control group was allowed to breath room air for 30 min. Acute CO poisoning in CO, CO + NBO, CO + HFNCO was induced by CO exposure for 30 min. Thereafter, NBO group received 100% NBO with reservoir mask for 30 min. HFNCO group received high-flow oxygen through nasal cannula for 30 min. At the end of the experiment, all animals were sacrificed by cardiac puncture under anesthesia. Serum liver function tests were measured. Liver tissue total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels, tissue histomorphology and immunoexpression levels of Bax, Caspase 3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB were also examined. Our observations indicated that acute CO poisoning caused significant increases in blood COHb, serum aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT0, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, and globulin levels but a decrease in albumin to globulin ratio (all, p < 0.05). Furthermore, acute CO poisoning significantly increased the OSI value, and the immunoexpresssion of Bax, Caspase 3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB in liver tissue (all, p < 0.05). These pathological changes in serum and liver tissue were alleviated through both of the treatment methods. In conclusion, both the NBO and HFNCO treatments were beneficial to alleviate the acute CO poisoning associated with liver injury and dysfunction.

For economic purposes, cooking oil is repeatedly heated in food preparation, which imposes serious health threats. This study investigated the detrimental effects of multiple-heated cooking oil (MHO) on hepatic and renal tissues with particular focusing on cellular senescence (CS), and the potential regenerative capacity of oleuropein (OLE). Adult male rats were fed MHO-enriched diet for 8 weeks and OLE (50 mg/kg, PO) was administered daily for the last four weeks. Liver and kidney functions and oxidative stress markers were measured. Cell cycle markers p53, p21, cyclin D, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were evaluated in hepatic and renal tissues. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Bax were assessed by immunohistochemistry. General histology and collagen deposition were also examined. MHO disturbed hepatic and renal structures and functions. MHO-fed rats showed increased oxidative stress, TNF-α, Bax, and fibrosis in liver and kidney tissues. MHO also enhanced the renal and hepatic expression of p53, p21, cyclin D and PCNA. On the contrary, OLE mitigated MHO-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory burden, apoptotic and fibrotic changes. OLE also suppressed CS and preserved kidney and liver functions. Collectively, OLE displays marked regenerative capacity against MHO-induced hepatic and renal CS, via its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Urolithiasis is one of the most prevalent benign urological disorders globally with a high incidence rate. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chemically induced to have urolithiasis and treated with triptonide and the standard antiurolithic drug cystone. Kidney weight was measured to detect calculi formation, and urinary parameters such as pH, 24-h urine volume, and protein content were measured to analyze the urolithiasis induction in rats. The inorganic ions, organic solutes, antioxidant levels, and inflammatory cytokines were measured in the experimental rats. Triptonide treatment significantly modulated the urinary pH, decreased the protein concentration, and increased the urinary outflow in urolithiasis induced rats. It also significantly decreased the urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorous and increased the excretion of magnesium, potassium, sodium, creatinine, and uric acid. SOD, CAT, and GPx levels were increased in triptonide-treated rats, and it significantly reduced the MDA levels. Triptonide treatment also decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines and prevented the renal tissue from inflammation. To conclude, our results prove that triptonide significantly prevents calculi formation and protects renal tissue from urolithiasis-induced damage in rats. Further studies may prove triptonide a potent alternative to currently available antiurolithic drugs.

Moutan cortex has demonstrated antitumor properties attributed to its bioactive compound Paeoniflorigenone (PA). Nevertheless, there is limited research on the efficacy of PA in the prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate the potential pharmacological mechanisms of PA in the treatment of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis using network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis approaches. Through various databases and bioinformatics analysis approaches, 34 shared targets were identified as potential candidate genes for PA in fighting liver cancer caused by AFB1. Pathway analysis revealed involvement in cell cycle, HIF-1, and Rap1 pathways. A risk assessment model was developed using LASSO regression, showing an association between the identified genes and the tumor immune microenvironment. The genes within the risk model were found to be linked to the immune response in liver cancer. Molecular docking studies indicated that PA interacts with its targets through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. This study provides insights into the possible mechanisms of PA in liver cancer treatment and offers a predictive model for assessing the risk level of individuals with liver cancer. These findings have significant implications for the therapeutic strategies in managing liver cancer patients.