Ferrotoxicity and its amelioration by endogenous vitamin D in experimental acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury causes significant morbidity and mortality. This experimental animal study investigated the simultaneous impact of iron and vitamin D on acute kidney injury induced by iohexol, an iodinated, non-ionic monomeric radiocontrast agent in Wistar rats. Out of 36 healthy male Wistar rats, saline was injected into six control rats (group 1) and iohexol into the remaining 30 experimental rats (groups 2 to 6 comprising six rats each). Biochemical, renal histological changes, and gene expression of iron-regulating proteins and 1 α-hydroxylase were analyzed. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), serum creatinine, urine protein, serum and urine catalytic iron, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and tissue lipid peroxidation were assayed. Rats injected with iohexol showed elevated urinary NGAL (11.94 ± 6.79 ng/mL), serum creatinine (2.92 ± 0.91 mg/dL), and urinary protein levels (11.03 ± 9.68 mg/mg creatinine) together with histological evidence of tubular injury and iron accumulation. Gene expression of iron-regulating proteins and 1 α-hydroxylase was altered. Serum and urine catalytic iron levels were elevated (0.57 ± 0.17; 48.95 ± 29.13 µmol/L) compared to controls (0.49 ± 0.04; 20.7 ± 2.62 µmol/L, P < 0.001). Urine catalytic iron positively correlated with tissue peroxidation (r = 0.469, CI 0.122 to 0.667, P = 0.004) and urinary NGAL (r = 0.788, CI 0.620 to 0.887, P < 0.001). 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (61.58 ± 9.60 ng/mL) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (50.44 ± 19.76 pg/mL) levels increased simultaneously. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, serum iron, urine catalytic iron, and tissue lipid peroxidation independently and positively predicted urinary NGAL, an acute kidney injury biomarker. This study highlights the nephrotoxic potential of catalytic iron besides demonstrating a concurrent induction of vitamin D endogenously for possible renoprotection in acute kidney injury. Impact statement This work provides in-depth insights on catalytic iron-induced cytotoxicity and the resultant triggering of endogenous vitamin D synthesis in experimental acute kidney injury. Our results reveal significantly elevated levels of catalytic iron culminating in oxidant-mediated renal injury and a concomitant increase in 1,25-dihdyroxyvitamin D3 levels. Also, changes in other iron-related proteins including transferrin, ferritin, and hepcidin were observed both in the serum as well as in their mRNA expression. We consider all these findings vital since no connection between catalytic iron and vitamin D has been established so far. Furthermore, we believe that this work provides new and interesting results, with catalytic iron emerging as an important target in ameliorating renal cellular injury, possibly by timely administration of vitamin D. It also needs to be seen if these observations made in rats could be translated to humans by means of robust clinical trials.

Effect of supplementation of broiler diets with essential oils on growth performance, antioxidant status, and general health

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of essential oils (EOs) of thyme, clove, and cinnamon to broiler chickens on growth performance, serum metabolites, and tissue lipid peroxidation and antioxidants enzyme activities. Design: Randomized controlled study Animals: One hundred-eighty, one-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups (3 replicates, 15 chicks each). Broilers were reared in deep litter system - pens for 6 weeks of age. Procedures: The control group was fed on corn-soybean basal control diets (starter, grower and finisher) without EOs supplementation. In addition to the basal- control diets, the 3 experimental broiler groups were supplemented with thyme oil (2nd group), clove oil (3rd group) or cinnamon oil (4th group) at 100 mg/kg. Blood, liver and muscle (breast) samples were collected from 3 broilers of each replicate at 40 days of age for measurement of serum metabolites, malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzyme activities (liver catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Results: The broiler chickens fed on the diets supplemented with 100 mg/kg cinnamon oil had significantly higher body weight, body weight gain and feed intake, followed by broiler chickens fed on the diets supplemented with 100 mg/kg thyme and 100 mg/kg clove oils in comparison with control group, which was showed the lowest growth performance. Supplementation with EOs significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), with increased liver CAT, SOD, GSH-Px activities, as well as serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in comparison with control group, also, it induced a significant decrease in serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), as well as both liver and muscle tissue lipid peroxidation (MDA). Conclusion and clinical relevance: The present results indicate that dietary supplementation of EOs (thyme, clove, and cinnamon) at 100 mg/kg resulted in significantly higher body weight, body weight gain, improved FCR, reduced serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL. Also, reduced lipid peroxidation in liver and muscle, and improved antioxidants status of broiler chickens.

Determination of Biochemical Responses of Genetically-male Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after Replacing Fish Oil with Plant-based Oils in Their Diets

This study evaluated biochemical responses of genetically male tilapia after replacing fish oil with plant-based oils in their diets. The sources of oils were coconut, olive, crude palm, sunflower and sesame seed. These oils were incorporated at 7% level and were used to formulate five isonitrogenous (42.5% CP) diets. In the control experiment (sixth diet) fish oil was used. Fish were reared in 1 m x 1 m x 1 m floating net-hapa. Feeing trial lasted for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and tested for serum protein, electrolytes and tissue lipid peroxidation. Results of the study revealed that the ratio of albumin to globulin was statistically similar (p > 0.05) in all fish group examined. The results of serum electrolyte showed that olive oil treated fish recorded the highest (p < 0.05) level. The amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) formed in fish tissues increased (p < 0.05) in sunflower oil group by 69%, 43%, 20% and 32% in the liver, kidney, gills and heart respectively. This indicated that reactive oxygen species may be associated with the metabolism of sunflower oil leading to peroxidation of membrane lipids of the respective organs. However, this level of MDA deposition had not been associated with any negative effects on fish health. Inferences from this study conclusively support the direct use of these plant oils as total replacement for fish oil in diets of Oreochromis niloticus.

Effect of whole body extremely high frequency electromagnetic irradiation exposure on lipid peroxidation in rats

Background. Electromagnetic irradiation with extremely high frequencies (EHF EMI) and low intensity affects living organisms of a different level of organization, but the mechanism(s) of its influence is still not understood well. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of EHF EMI on tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) of whole body exposure rats. Material and methods. Male Wistar rats were selected for this study. The animals were divided into two groups: sham exposed and experimental. The rats were exposed to the EMI of 42.2 and 50.3 GHz frequencies (power density 0.06 mW/cm2) for 20 min/ day, for five days. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) as the final product of the LPO was estimated in brain, liver, heart, and skeletal muscle of rats. Results. Treatment with EMI induced oxidative stress in different organs of the rats, which was indicated by the changes of MDA level depending on the EMI frequency used and exposure duration. The MDA rate shows significant increase in brain (P < 0.001) depending on the treatment duration for both EMI frequencies used. The slightly elevated levels of MDA in the liver were observed among rats in 50.3 GHz frequency EMI-exposed group. Concerning the skeletal muscle and especially the cardiac tissue, the MDA values remained at the same levels in experimental and control groups and did not differ significantly. Conclusions. The EHF EMI applied in the multiple mode significantly enhanced the lipid peroxidation level in the brain and slightly increased the same parameter in liver. The obtained data indicate possible health implications of such exposures, which may cause damage in brain.

Cyperus rotundus L. prevents non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastric mucosal damage by inhibiting oxidative stress

Since centuries,Seventy percent methanolic extract of the plant was prepared and fed to 36-h fasted rats. Ulcer was induced in these rats by single oral administration of aspirin (400 mg/kg) 1 h after the administration of the plant extract. After 4 h, the rats were sacrificed, ulcer index was calculated, and antioxidant activity of the extract in gastric mucosa was evaluated by determining the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and tissue lipid peroxidation.Oral administration of different doses ofOur results showed that

Alpha-lipoic acid improves acute deltamethrin-induced toxicity in rats

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural dithiol compound, with a free radical scavenger and biological antioxidant properties. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the protective effects of ALA on biochemical alteration and oxidative stress induced by acute deltamethrin intoxication in rats. Markers of liver and kidney injuries in serum of deltamethrin-intoxicated as well as ALA-pretreated rats were analyzed. Moreover, serum and (or) tissue lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde and antioxidant markers, reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase activity, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated. The results showed that all parameters were altered in the intoxicated group, indicating hepatorenal oxidative damage of deltamethrin. Pre-treatment with ALA reversed the changes in most of the studied parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological and biochemical findings were parallel. It can be concluded that ALA may be a promising therapeutic option for prevention and (or) treatment of deltamethin toxicity.