El Mouldi Garoui

Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of flax and pumpkin seed mixture rich in ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids in hypercholesterolemic rats

Flax and pumpkin seeds are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and fibers, known to have anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective activities. These effects were evaluated in Wistar rats fed with 1% cholesterol diet. The study was performed on 30 male rats divided into three groups: a control group (CD), CD-chol group fed diet with 1% cholesterol and MS-chol group fed diet enriched with flax and pumpkin seed mixture. In CD-chol group, total cholesterol TC, triacylglycerol TG in plasma and liver, plasma LDL-C, atherogenic index AI and LDL/HDL ratio significantly increased. In MS-chol group lipid parameters decreased significantly, plasma and liver fatty acid composition showed an increase of PUFAs (ALA and LA), and MUFAs (oleic and eicosaenoic acid) and a decrease of SFA (palmitic and stearic acid). In plasma and liver of MS-chol group, malondialdehyde levels decreased and the efficiency of antioxidant defense system was improved compared to CD-chol group. Liver histological sections showed lipid storage in hepatocytes of CD-chol group and an improvement was noted in MS-chol group. Our results suggested that flax and pumpkin seed mixture had anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects which were probably mediated by unsaturated fatty acids present in seed mixture.

Toxic effects of lambda-cyhalothrin, a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, on the rat kidney: Involvement of oxidative stress and protective role of ascorbic acid.

Lambda-cyhalothrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used worldwide in agriculture, home pest control, protection of foodstuff and disease vector control. The objective of this study was to investigate the propensity of lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) to induce oxidative stress, changes in biochemical parameters and enzyme activities in the kidney of male rats and its possible attenuation by Vitamin C (vit C). Renal function, histopathology, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated. Exposure of rats to lambda-cyhalothrin, during 3 weeks, caused a significant increase in kidney MDA and protein carbonyl levels (p<0.01) as compared to controls. Co-administration of vitamin C was effective in reducing MDA and PCO levels. The kidney of LTC-treated rats exhibited severe vacuolations, cells infiltration and widened tubular lumen. The activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were significantly decreased due to lambda-cyhalothrin exposure. Co-administration of vitamin C ameliorated the increase in enzymatic activities of aminotransferases (AST and ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine and urea levels and improved the antioxidant status. These data indicated the protective role of ascorbic acid against lambda-cyhalothrin-induced nephrotoxicity and suggested a significant contribution of its antioxidant property to these beneficial effects.

Oxidative stress induced by lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) in rat erythrocytes and brain: Attenuation by vitamin C.

The objective of this study was to investigate the propensity of lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) to induce oxidative stress in blood and brain of male Wistar rats and its possible attenuation by vitamin C. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: group I served as control rats. group II was treated daily with 200mgvit C/(kgbw) administered by intraperitoneal way. Rats of group III have received orally 668ppm LTC. Animals of group IV were treated with LTC and vitamin C. A decrease of some hematologic parameters (RBC, Hb, Ht: p<0.01) and a significant increase of MDA levels (p<0.05) in erythrocytes and brain were observed in LTC group compared to controls. Antioxidant enzyme activities in both tissues were modified in LTC group compared to controls. Administration of vitamin C ameliorated these parameters. Our results indicated the potential effects of LTC to induce oxidative damage in tissues and the ability of vitamin C to attenuate LTC-induced oxidative damage.

Lambda-cyhalothrin-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in the liver of rats: ameliorative effect of ascorbic acid.

Pyrethroid pesticides were used preferably over organochlorines and organophosphates due to their high effectiveness, low toxicity to non-target organisms and easy biodegrability. It has widespread applications in agriculture through the world and in Tunisia. The present study investigates lambda-cyhalothrin (LTC) effects on biochemical parameters, hepatotoxicity and their attenuation by vitamin C. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of seven each: a control group (C) and two treated groups during 3 weeks with LTC administrated either alone in drinking water for LTC group or coadministred with vitamin C for LTC+vit C group. Lactate deshydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly increased in liver (+51%, p<0.001) and in plasma (+40%, p<0.001) compared to those of control group. A significant increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver (+53%; p<0.001) associated with a decrease in antioxidants enzyme activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was observed in LTC group compared to controls. The administration of vitamin C to LTC+vit C group improved all parameters studied. We conclude that LTC induces oxidative stress and modifies biochemical parameters and histological aspects of liver. Administration of vitamin C alleviates the toxicity induced by this synthetic pyrethroid insecticide.

Evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties of vanillin in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of vanillin are considered as important forces in the protection against liver injury and fibrosis. This study investigated the protective effects of vanillin against carbon tetrachoride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in rat. Pretreatment with vanillin prior the administration of CCl(4) significantly prevented the decrease of protein synthesis and the increase in plasma alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases. Furthermore, it inhibited hepatic lipid peroxidation (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) formation and attenuated the (CCl(4))-mediated depletion of antioxidant enzyme catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and glutathione level (GSH) in the liver. In addition, vanillin markedly attenuated the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prevented CCl(4)-induced hepatic cell alteration and necrosis, as indicated by liver histopathology. These findings suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of vanillin against CCl(4)-induced acute liver injury may involve its ability to block CCl(4)-generated free radicals.

Antidiabetic effect of flax and pumpkin seed mixture powder: effect on hyperlipidemia and antioxidant status in alloxan diabetic rats

Reactive oxygen species play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. This study aims to examine the effects of flax and pumpkin powder seed mixture on alloxan induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Animals were allocated into three groups of six rats each: a control group (CD), diabetic group (DD) and diabetic rats fed with flax and pumpkin seed mixture (DMS) group. The diabetic rats (DD) presented a significant increase in glycemia, plasma and liver lipid parameters such as total lipid, total cholesterol and triglycerides compared to the control group (CD). In addition, plasma and liver malonaldialdehyde levels (MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation) significantly increased compared to (CD). Antioxidant enzymes activities such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels significantly decreased in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats compared to controls. Diet supplemented with flax and pumpkin seed mixture in the DMS group ameliorated antioxidant enzymes activities and level of GSH in diabetic rats and significantly decreased MDA levels. The present study revealed a significant increase in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase on diabetic status, indicating considerable hepatocellular injury. The administration of flax and pumpkin seed mixture attenuated the increased levels of the plasma enzymes produced by the induction of diabetes and caused a subsequent recovery towards normalization comparable to the control group animals. Our results thus suggest that flax and pumpkin seed mixture supplemented to diet may be helpful in preventing diabetic complications in adult rats.

Flax and Pumpkin seeds mixture ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in rats

This study investigated the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Flax and Pumpkin seeds mixture on the kidney of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Animals were allocated into three groups of six rats each: a control group (CD), a diabetic group (DD) and diabetic rats fed with Flax and Pumpkin seeds mixture (DMS) group. The DD rats showed a significant increase of glycemia and lipid parameters such as total lipid, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels compared to those of the control group (CD). In addition, plasma and kidney malonaldialdehyde levels (MDA) were significantly increased compared to (CD) group. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and non-enzymatic levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) significantly decreased in the plasma and kidney of diabetic rats compared to those of controls. Diet supplemented with Flax and Pumpkin seeds mixture ameliorated the antioxidant enzymes activities observed in diabetic rats and significantly decreased MDA levels. Kidney histological sections, showed glomerular hypertrophy and tubular dilatation. In DMS rats, these histopathological changes were less prominent. Our results suggest that Flax and Pumpkin seeds mixture supplemented in diet of diabetic rats may be helpful to prevent diabetes and its complications.

Hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective seeds mixture diet rich in ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids

In vitro physicochemical and antioxidant properties of mixture of Flax/Sesame (LS) and Flax/Peanut (LA) and in vivo hypolipidemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities were carried out to ascertain the claim of its utilisation against diseases. The seeds mixture rich in unsaturated fatty acids were prepared with 5/1 ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids and were orally administered ad libitum to rats by standard diet for 30 days. High cholesterol fed diet rats (CD-chol) exhibited a significant increase in total plasma and liver lipid parameters and atherogenicity and a significant decrease in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and HDL/TC ratio (HTR). Administration of (LS) or (LA) seeds mixture to hypercholesterolemic rats (MS-LSchol and MS-LAchol groups respectively) significantly ameliorated lipid parameters and showed an increase of PUFAs (ALA and LA) and MUFAs and a decrease of SFAs in plasma and liver of MS-LSchol and MS-LAchol groups. Furthermore, malondialdehyde levels decreased and the efficiency of antioxidant defense system was improved compared to CD-chol group. Liver histological sections showed lipid storage in hepatocytes of CD-chol group and an improvement was noted in both supplemented groups. Our results suggested that seeds mixtures of Flax/Sesame and Flax/Peanut have anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects.

Protective role of silymarin against manganese-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat.

Metal toxicity may occur after exposure from many sources. Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in manganese‐induced toxicity and leads to various health disorders. Silymarin (SIL), a natural flavonoid, has been reported to have many benefits and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity of manganese (Mn) on oxidative stress and DNA damage in the kidney of rats and its alleviation by SIL. Manganese was given orally in drinking water (20 mg MnCl2/mL) with or without SIL administration (100 mg /kg intraperitoneally) for 30 days. Our data showed that SIL significantly prevented Mn induced nephrotoxicity, indicated by both diagnostic indicators of kidney injury like plasma urea, uric acid and creatinine and urinary electrolyte levels and by histopathological analysis. Moreover, Mn‐induced profound elevation of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and altered the levels of oxidative stress related biomarkers in kidney tissue. This is evidenced by the increase of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, DNA fragmentation and urinary hydrogen peroxide, while, the activities of enzymatic antioxidant and glutathione level were decreased. Treatment with SIL reduced the alterations in the renal and urine markers, decreasing lipid peroxidation markers, increasing the antioxidant cascade and decreasing the Mn‐induced damage. All these changes were supported by histopathological observations. These findings suggested that the inhibition of Mn‐induced damage by SIL was due at least in part to its antioxidant activity and its capacity to modulate the oxidative damage.

Carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA damage in rats: protective role of vanillin.

In this study, the protective effects of vanillin were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced kidney damages in Wistar albino rats. CCl4 (1 ml/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) caused a significant induction of renal disorder, oxidative damage and DNA fragmentation as evidenced by increased plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid levels, increased lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and protein carbonyl. Furthermore, glutathione levels, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly decreased. A smear without ladder formation on agarose gel was also shown, indicating random DNA degradation. Pretreatment of rats with vanillin (150 mg/kg/day, i.p.), for 3 consecutive days before CCl4 injection, protected kidney against the increase of MDA and degradation of membrane proteins compared to CCl4-treated rats and exhibited marked prevention against CCl4-induced nephropathology, oxidative stress and DNA damage. Kidney histological sections showed glomerular hypertrophy and tubular dilatation in CCl4-treated rats, however, in vanillin pretreated rats, these histopathological changes were less important and present a similar structure to that of control rats. These data indicated the protective role of vanillin against CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity and suggested its significant contribution of these beneficial effects.