Hepatoprotective effects of early pentoxifylline administration on hepatic injury induced by concanavalin A in rat

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 490-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doaa Ibrahim Mohamed ◽  
Ahmed Abdel salam Mohamed Elmelegy ◽  
Lubna Foaad A. El-Aziz ◽  
Hala Salah Abdel kawy ◽  
Abeer Ahmed AbdEl-Samad ◽  
...  

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays an important role in the pathogensis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induced liver injury. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TNF-α inhibition with pentoxifylline (PTX) on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatic injury in rats. The rats were distributed among 3 groups: (i) control group (1 mL saline·week–1 by intravenous injection (i.v.)); (ii) Con A treatment group (20 mg Con A·(kg body mass)–1·week–1, i.v.), and (iii) rats treated with Con A and with PTX (200 mg PTX·(kg body mass)–1·day–1, per oral) group. Blood samples and livers were collected at the end of weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 of Con A treatment. Portal pressure (PP) was measured at the end of week 8. The administration of PTX was found to confer significant protection against the injurious effects of Con A on the liver, by reducing serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, hepatic TNF-α, and malondialdehyde. Histopathological examination revealed that treatment with PTX significantly suppressed early inflammation, reduced alpha smooth muscle actin, and the apoptosis of hepatocytes induced by Con A. Moreover, PTX significantly (P < 0.05) reduced PP, and quantitative analyses of the area of fibrosis induced by treatment with Con A showed a significant reduction at the end of week 8. We conclude that rats treated with PTX revealed a more or less normal hepatocyte architecture as well as marked improvement in fibrosis and PP.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Adriana Neag ◽  
Adrian Catinean ◽  
Dana Maria Muntean ◽  
Maria Raluca Pop ◽  
Corina Ioana Bocsan ◽  
...  

Acetaminophen (APAP) is one of the most used analgesics and antipyretic agents in the world. Intoxication with APAP is the main cause of acute liver toxicity in both the US and Europe. Spore-forming probiotic bacteria have the ability to resist harsh gastric and intestinal conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effect of Bacillus (B) species (sp) spores (B. licheniformis, B. indicus, B. subtilis, B. clausii, B. coagulans) against hepatotoxicity induced by APAP in rats. A total of 35 rats were randomly divided into seven groups: group I served as control; group II received silymarin; group III received MegaSporeBioticTM (MSB); group IV received APAP and served as the model of hepatotoxicity; group V received APAP and silymarin; group VI received APAP and MSB; group VII received APAP, silymarin and MSB. The livers for histopathological examination and blood samples were collected on the last day of the experiment. We determined aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels and zonula occludens (ZO-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) expression. APAP overdose increased AST and ALT. It slowly decreased TAC compared to the control group, but pretreatment with silymarin and MSB increased TAC levels. Elevated plasma concentrations were identified for ZO-1 in groups treated with APAP overdose compared with those without APAP or receiving APAP in combination with silymarin, MSB or both. The changes were positively correlated with the levels of other proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β). In addition, histopathological hepatic injury was improved by preadministration of MSB or silymarin versus the disease model group. Bacillus sp spores had a protective effect on acute hepatic injury induced by APAP. Pretreatment with MSB resulted in a significant reduction in serum AST, ALT, TNF-α, IL-1β, ZO-1, TAC and also hepatocyte necrosis, similar to the well-known hepatoprotective agent—silymarin.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2341-2352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajie Chen ◽  
Xu Sun ◽  
Tingting Xia ◽  
Qiqi Mao ◽  
Liang Zhong

We have previously demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of dihydroquercetin (DHQ) against concanavalin A (Con A)-induced immunological hepatic injury in mice.


Author(s):  
Joon M. Jung ◽  
Hae K. Yoon ◽  
Chang J. Jung ◽  
Soo Y. Jo ◽  
Sang G. Hwang ◽  
...  

Cold plasma can be beneficial for promoting skin wound healing and has a high potential of being effectively used in treating various wounds. Our aim was to verify the effect of cold plasma in accelerating wound healing and investigate its underlying mechanism in vitro and in vivo. For the in vivo experiments, 2 full-thickness dermal wounds were created in each mouse (n = 30). While one wound was exposed to 2 daily plasma treatments for 3 min, the other wound served as a control. The wounds were evaluated by imaging and histological analyses at 4, 7, and 11 days post the wound infliction process. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed at the same time points. In vitro proliferation and scratch assay using HaCaT keratinocytes and fibroblasts were performed. The expression levels of wound healing–related genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. On day 7, the wound healing rates were 53.94% and 63.58% for the control group and the plasma-treated group, respectively. On day 11, these rates were 76.05% and 93.44% for the control and plasma-treated groups, respectively, and the difference between them was significant ( P = .039). Histological analysis demonstrated that plasma treatment promotes the formation of epidermal keratin and granular layers. Immunohistochemical studies also revealed that collagen 1, collagen 3, and alpha-smooth muscle actin appeared more abundantly in the plasma-treated group than in the control group. In vitro, the proliferation of keratinocytes was promoted by plasma exposure. Scratch assay showed that fibroblast exposure to plasma increased their migration. The expression levels of collagen 1, collagen 3, and alpha-smooth muscle actin were elevated upon plasma treatment. In conclusion, cold plasma can accelerate skin wound healing and is well tolerated.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 2111-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Bing Hu ◽  
Xiao-Ting Ye ◽  
Qing-Qing Zhou ◽  
Rong-Quan Fu

Background/Aims: Sestrin 2 is associated with the pathophysiology of several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Sestrin 2 in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrogenesis. Methods: In this study, Sestrin 2 protein expression was detected in rat HSC-T6 cells challenged with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a well-known model of hepatic fibrosis. Next, HSC-T6 cells and fibrotic mice were transfected with lentivirus. The mRNA expression levels of markers of liver fibrosis [alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen 1A1 (Col1A1)] were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell death and proliferation were evaluated by the MTT assay, and biochemical markers of liver damage in serum [alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST)] were also measured using a biochemical analyzer. Histopathological examination was used to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis, and protein expression [phospho-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), AMPK, phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), and mTOR] was determined by western blotting. Results: We found that Sestrin 2 was elevated in both the HSC-T6 cell and hepatic fibrosis models. In vitro, overexpression of Sestrin 2 attenuated the mRNA levels of α-SMA and Col1A1, suppressed α-SMA protein expression, and modulated HSC-T6 cell proliferation. In vivo, overexpression of Sestrin 2 reduced the ALT and AST levels as well as the α-SMA and Col1A1 protein expression in the CCl4 model of liver fibrosis. Moreover, the degree of liver fibrosis was ameliorated. Interestingly, overexpression of Sestrin 2 increased p-AMPK but decreased p-mTOR protein expression. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Sestrin 2 may attenuate the activation of HSCs and ameliorate liver fibrosis, most likely via upregulation of AMPK phosphorylation and suppression of the mTOR signaling pathway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabrouk Attia Abd Eldaim ◽  
Fatma Mohamed Ibrahim ◽  
Saher Hassan Orabi ◽  
Azza Hassan ◽  
Hesham Saad El Sabagh

In this study, we evaluated the possible mechanisms through which l-carnitine ameliorates the adverse effects from obesity in rats, induced with a high-fat diet (HFD). For this, 56 albino Wister rats were randomly assigned to 7 groups. The control group was fed a basal diet and injected with saline. The second group was fed the basal diet and injected with l-carnitine (200 mg/kg body mass, by intraperitoneal injection; i.p.). The third group were fed the HFD. The fourth group was fed the HFD and injected with l-carnitine (200 mg/kg body mass, i.p.) for 8 weeks. The fifth group was fed the HFD for 10 weeks. The sixth group were fed the HFD for 10 weeks and were also injected with l-carnitine (200 mg/kg body mass, i.p.) during the final 2 weeks. The seventh group was fed the HFD diet for 8 weeks then the basal diet for 2 weeks. The HFD induced significantly increased levels of hyperglycemia, lipid peroxidation, pathological changes, TNF-α and TGF-β1 protein expression in hepatic tissue, food intake, body weight gain, serum levels of total and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ketone bodies, triacylglycerol, urea, creatinine, AST, and ALT. However, the HFD diet significantly decreased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and hepatic levels of reduced glutathione. l-Carnitine ameliorated the effects of the HFD on the above-mentioned parameters. This study indicated that l-carnitine had protective and curative effects against HFD-induced hepatosteatosis by reducing hepatic oxidative stress and protein expression of TNF-α and TGF-β1.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 892-899
Author(s):  
Jinfeng Zhou ◽  
Youcai Zhao ◽  
Wengbo Yang ◽  
Qianming Du ◽  
Jun Yin ◽  
...  

Abstract After transplantation, skin grafts contract to different degrees, thus affecting the appearance and function of the skin graft sites. The exact mechanism of contracture after skin grafting remains unclear, and reliable treatment measures are lacking; therefore, new treatment methods must be identified. Many types of centripetal contraction forces affect skin graft operation, thus leading to centripetal contracture. Therefore, antagonizing the centripetal contraction of skin grafts may be a feasible method to intervene in skin contracture. Here, the authors propose the first reported mechanical stretching method to address contracture after skin grafting. A full-thickness skin graft model was established on the backs of SD rats. The skin in the experimental group was stretched unilaterally or bidirectionally with a self-made elastic stretching device, whereas the skin was non-stretched in the control group. The rats were sacrificed 2 weeks after stretching. The area, length, and width of the skin were measured. The grafts were cut and fixed with formalin. Routine paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, picric acid-Sirius red, Victoria blue, and anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Mechanical stretching made the graft lengthen in the direction of the stress and had an important influence on collagen deposition and alpha-SMA expression in the graft. This method warrants further in-depth study to provide a basis for clinical application.


2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 819-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. V. Rana ◽  
R. Pal ◽  
K. Vaiphei ◽  
R. P. Ola ◽  
K. Singh

This study evaluates the hepatoprotective effect of carotenoids against isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). Thirty-six adult rats were divided into the following 4 groups: (1) control group treated with normal saline; (2) INH + RIF group treated with 50 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1 of INH and RIF each; (3) INH + RIF+ carotenoids group treated with 50 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1 of INH and RIF each and 10 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1 of carotenoids; and (4) carotenoids group treated with 10 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1 of carotenoids for 28 days intragastrically. Oxidative stress and antioxidant levels in liver and blood, liver histology and change in transaminases were measured in all the above-mentioned groups. There was an increase in lipid peroxidation with a reduction in thiols, catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver and blood of rats accompanied by an increase in transaminases, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. Treatment with carotenoids along with INH + RIF partially reversed lipid peroxidation, thiols, catalase, and SOD in the liver and blood of rats. Elevated levels of the enzymes in serum were also reversed partially by this treatment. The degree of necrosis, portal triaditis, and inflammation were also lowered in the carotenoids group. In conclusion, carotenoids supplementation in INH + RIF treated rats showed partial protection.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenglian Yan ◽  
Dalei Cheng ◽  
Haiyan Wang ◽  
Min Gao ◽  
Junfeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Immune-mediated hepatic injury plays a key role in the initiation and pathogenesis of diverse liver diseases. However, treatment choice for immune-mediated hepatic injury remains limited. Corilagin, a natural ellagitannin extracted from various traditional Chinese medicines, has been demonstrated to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and hepatoprotective properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of corilagin on immune-mediated hepatic injury using a murine model of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis, which is well-characterized to study acute immune-mediated hepatitis. Herein, mice were administered corilagin (25 mg/kg) intraperitoneally twice at 12 h intervals, and 1 h later, the mice were challenged with Con A (20 mg/kg body weight); serum and liver samples were collected after 12 h. The results showed that corilagin significantly increased the survival of mice and reduced serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. In addition, corilagin markedly improved histopathological damage, hepatocyte apoptosis, and oxidative stress in the liver. The activation of M1 macrophages in the hepatic mononuclear cells was also significantly reduced compared with that in the control group. The expression of M1 macrophage-associated proinflammatory cytokines and genes, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), was also decreased after corilagin treatment. Finally, the results demonstrated that corilagin regulated macrophage polarization by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) signaling pathways. Thus, the findings indicate that corilagin protects mice from Con A-induced immune-mediated hepatic injury by limiting M1 macrophage activation via the MAPK, NF-κB, and IRF signaling pathways, suggesting corilagin as a possible treatment choice for immune-mediated hepatic injury.


2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (7) ◽  
pp. 850-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleed A.I. Khallaf ◽  
Basim A.S. Messiha ◽  
Amira M.H. Abo-Youssef ◽  
Nesrine S. El-Sayed

Angiotensin II has pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant potentials. We investigated the possible protective effects of the Angiotensin II receptor blocker telmisartan, compared with the superoxide scavenger tempol, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive decline and amyloidogenesis. Briefly, mice were allocated into a normal control group, an LPS control group, a tempol treatment group, and 2 telmisartan treatment groups. A behavioral study was conducted followed by a biochemical study via assessment of brain levels of beta amyloid (Aβ) and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) as amyloidogenesis and neuroplasticity markers, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide end products (NOx), neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase (nNOS and iNOS) as inflammatory markers, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reduced (GSH), and nitrotyrosine (NT) as oxido-nitrosative stress markers. Finally, histopathological examination of cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum sections was performed using routine and special Congo red stains. Tempol and telmisartan improved cognition, decreased brain Aβ deposition and BDNF depletion, decreased TNF-α, NOx, nNOS, iNOS, MDA, and NT brain levels, and increased brain SOD and GSH contents, parallel to confirmatory histopathological evidences. In conclusion, tempol and telmisartan are promising drugs in managing cognitive impairment and amyloidogenesis, at least via upregulation of BDNF with inhibition of neuroinflammation and oxido-nitrosative stress.


2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdy Mohammed ◽  
Eman Abdel-Gawad ◽  
Sameh Awwad ◽  
Eman Kandil ◽  
Basma El-Agamy

Nanotechnology research is booming worldwide, and the general belief is that medical and biological applications will form the greatest sector of expansion over the next decade. With this in mind, this study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of a synthesized tricalcium phosphate nanocomposite material (nano-TCP) on hepatocarcinoma in a rat model, as initiated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and promoted with phenobarbital (PB). Hepatocarcinoma was induced with intraperitoneal injections of DEN (50 mg·(kg body mass)−1) 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Three weeks after the last dose of DEN, the rats received PB (0.05 %, w/v) in their drinking water for a further 6 weeks. Nano-TCP (100 mg·(kg body mass)−1) was administered intraperitoneally 3 times per week to rats with HCC. At the end of the experimental period, liver samples were collected from all animals for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The degree of DNA fragmentation was analyzed, in addition to immune status, by measuring the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The activities of the most important free-radical scavengers of the antioxidant defense system as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content and liver enzymes were measured. The levels of hepatic heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70), caspase-3, and metalloproteinase-9 were also measured as markers for inflammation and apoptosis. Histopathological examination of liver tissue was performed. The results revealed the potent efficacy of nano-TCP in repairing the fragmented DNA and ameliorating most of the investigated parameters by significant elevation in the levels of hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in hepatic gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), MDA, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), HSP-70, and caspase-3 levels upon treatment. The findings form histopathological examination of the liver tissues agreed with the biochemical results and confirmed the difference between the control and treatment groups. In conclusion, nano-TCP succeeded in treating hepatocarcinoma efficiently, and presents a new hope for patients to get safe, fast, and effective treatment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document