Marko Škoda

Berberine exerts nephroprotective effect against cisplatin-induced kidney damage through inhibition of oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic activity of isoquinoline alkaloid berberine against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Berberine was administered at daily doses of 1, 2 and 3 mg/kg by gavage for two successive days, 48 h after intraperitoneal CP injection (13 mg/kg). Mice were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of berberine. Histopathological changes and the increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) induced by CP were significantly ameliorated by berberine in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, oxidative/nitrosative stress, evidenced by the increase in renal 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), cytochrome P450 E1 (CYP2E1) and heme oxygenase (HO-1) expression, was significantly reduced. The expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was markedly suppressed by berberine, indicating the inhibition of inflammatory response. Treatment of CP-intoxicated animals with berberine also significantly reduced the expression of p53, active caspase-3 as well as autophagy marker light chain 3B (LC3B) in the kidneys. The results of the current study showed the nephroprotective activity of berberine against CP-induced renal injury, which could be attributed to the inhibition of oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis.

Rosmarinic acid ameliorates acute liver damage and fibrogenesis in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of rosmarinic acid (RA), a natural phenolic, in the treatment of acute liver toxicity. RA at 10, 25 and 50mg/kg was administered by gavage once daily for 2 consecutive days, 6h after CCl(4) intoxication. CCl(4) intoxication caused hepatic necrosis and increased serum ALT activity. In the livers, oxidative/nitrosative stress was evidenced by increased 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation and a significant decrease in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. CCl(4) administration triggered inflammatory response in mice livers by activating nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which coincided with the induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). RA improved histological and serum markers of liver damage and significantly ameliorated oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory response in liver tissue. Additionally, RA prevented transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, suggesting suppression of profibrotic response. Furthermore, RA significantly inhibited the CCl(4)-induced apoptosis, which was evident from decreased cleavage of caspase-3. The hepatoprotective activity of RA coincided with enhanced NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. The results of this study indicates that RA possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and antifibrotic activity against acute liver toxicity.

Myricitrin exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated mice

Myricetin-3-O-α-rhamnoside (myricitrin) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound which possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to determine the hepatoprotective effects of myricitrin. Myricitrin at doses of 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg and silymarin at dose of 100mg/kg were administered to BALB/cN mice by oral gavage, once daily for two consecutive days following carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxication. Myricitrin significantly ameliorated CCl4-induced increase in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and histopathological changes in the liver. Hepatic oxidative stress was reduced by myricitrin, as evidenced by the decrease in lipid peroxidation, with concomitant increase in glutathione (GSH) level and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression. In addition, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) overexpression in the liver was reduced, suggesting the suppression of inflammation. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was markedly ameliorated, indicating the inhibition of profibrotic response. Myricitrin also improved the regeneration of hepatic tissue after CCl4-intoxication, as evidenced by increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. The results of the current study suggest that myricitrin exhibits a significant hepatoprotective activity. Myricitrin provided better hepatoprotection when compared to silymarin, which is consistent with its higher in vitro antioxidant potential.

Luteolin ameliorates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice through inhibition of platinum accumulation, inflammation and apoptosis in the kidney

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of flavone luteolin against cisplatin (CP)-induced kidney injury in mice. Luteolin at doses of 10mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally (ip) once daily for 3 days following single CP (10 or 20mg/kg) ip injection. Mice were sacrificed 24h after the last dose of luteolin. The CP treatment significantly increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and induced pathohistological changes in the kidneys. Renal oxidative/nitrosative stress was evidenced by decreased glutathione (GSH) levels and increased 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) formation as well as cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression. The CP administration triggered inflammatory response in mice kidneys through activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Simultaneously, the increase in renal p53 and caspase-3 expression indicated apoptosis of tubular cells. The administration of luteolin significantly reduced histological and biochemical changes induced by CP, decreased platinum (Pt) levels and suppressed oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the kidneys. These results suggest that luteolin is an effective nephroprotective agent, with potential to reduce Pt accumulation in the kidneys and ameliorate CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Nephroprotective activities of rosmarinic acid against cisplatin-induced kidney injury in mice.

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural phenolic compound with a broad range of applications, from food preservatives to cosmetics. Increasing amounts of evidence suggests its beneficial effects against various pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic activity of rosmarinic acid (RA) against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity. RA was administered by oral gavage at doses of 1, 2 and 5mg/kg for two successive days, 48 h after intraperitoneal CP injection (13 mg/kg). Twenty four hours later, mice were sacrificed. Treatment with RA significantly ameliorated histopathological changes and the increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) induced by CP. Oxidative stress induced by CP, evidenced by increased renal 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and heme oxygenase (HO-1) expression, was significantly reduced by RA administration. Moreover, RA inhibited the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), indicating the inhibition of inflammation. Additionally, RA exhibited antiapoptotic activity through the reduction of p53, phosphorylated p53 and active caspase-3 expression in the kidneys. These findings show that RA ameliorates CP-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the kidneys. The nephroprotective activity of RA could be, at least in part, attributed to reduced CYP2E1 expression.

Oral administration of oleuropein attenuates cisplatin-induced acute renal injury in mice through inhibition of ERK signaling

SCOPE Oleuropein possesses numerous health beneficial effects. We investigated the renoprotective effects of oleuropein against cisplatin (CP) induced kidney injury. METHODS AND RESULTS Male BALB/cN mice were orally gavaged with 5, 10 and 20 mg oleuropein/kg body weight for 2 days, 48 h after intraperitoneal injection of CP (13 mg/kg). Four days after CP administration, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were significantly elevated, with histopathological changes in renal tissue. In addition, renal oxidative stress was evidenced by increased expression of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), cytochrome P450 E1 (CYP2E1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). The expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, phospho-p65, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the kidneys increased upon CP treatment, suggesting renal inflammation. CP intoxication increased the expression of p53, Bax and caspase-3 and induced apoptosis in the kidneys. CP administration also resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). All these effects were dose dependently diminished by oleuropein. Oral administration of PD0325901, an MEK inhibitor, coincided with the oleuropein-mediated suppression of apoptotic, inflammatory and antioxidant markers. CONCLUSION The results of the current study suggest that oleuropein attenuated CP-induced acute renal injury, which was mediated through the inhibition of ERK signaling.

Gabapentin-induced changes of plasma cortisol level and immune status in hysterectomized women.

AIM We have examined the effects of gabapentin (GBP) on stress-related changes of cortisol and catecholamines in patients who underwent hysterectomy because of uterine fibrinoids. Additionally, we have observed the effect of GBP on the immune status in the acute stress response to surgery. METHODS Sixty patients scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy were randomly assigned to the GBP administration 1h before surgery (n=30 pts), or to the placebo group (n=30 pts). Blood samples were collected before and 24h after the surgery. The intensity of pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) every 8h at rest. Immunomodulatory effects of GBP were determined by flow cytometry. We followed the total proportion of CD3(+) lymphocytes, CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD19(+) B lymphocytes, CD16(+)CD56(+)CD3(-)NK cells and CD16(+)CD56(+)CD3(+) NKT cells before and 24h after hysterectomy. The plasma cortisol and catecholamines concentration was used to estimate the level of the stress response. RESULTS VAS pain score at rest was significantly lower in the GBP group than in the placebo group (P=0.003). Application of GBP significantly decreased the plasma cortisol level 24h after the operation in comparison to the placebo group (P<0,001). We found significant positive correlation between the VAS pain score and concentration of cortisol in all patients (P=0.025). GBP reduced the concentration of catecholamines (p<0.05). The proportion of CD3(+) (P=0.027) and CD3(+)CD4(+)cells (P=0.006) was significantly lower in the GBP group 24h after operation, while the contribution of CD19(+) (P=0.033) was significantly higher. CONCLUSION Preoperative administration of GBP reduced the pain scores at rest in patients at 0, 16 and 24h after abdominal hysterectomy. Additionally, GBP reduced the stress response and changed immune parameters in the reaction to surgery.