Nor Azizan Abdullah

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reduces blood pressure and prevents the progression of diabetic nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes results in the rapid development of nephropathy. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is claimed to control the vascular and renal functions. This study tested the hypothesis that exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and decreases the progression of nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that were diabetic. Eighteen SHR were divided into three groups: SHR, SHR diabetic, and SHR diabetic treated with a group of Wistar–Kyoto rats serving as normotensive nondiabetic control. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) in two groups and one diabetic group received sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H2S donor for 5 weeks. Blood pressure was measured in conscious and anesthetized states and renal cortical blood perfusion in acute studies. Plasma and urinary H2S levels, creatinine concentrations, and electrolytes were measured on three different occasions throughout the 35-day period. Diabetic SHR had higher blood pressure, lower plasma and urinary H2S levels, and renal dysfunction as evidenced by increased plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance, and decreased urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and renal cortical blood perfusion. NaHS reduced blood pressure, increased H2S levels in plasma and urinary excretion, and reversed the STZ-induced renal dysfunction. The findings of this study suggest that the administration of exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and confers protection against the progression of STZ-induced nephropathy in SHR.

The contribution of adrenoceptor subtype(s) in the renal vasculature of diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats

Diabetes and hypertension are both associated with an increased risk of renal disease and are associated with neuropathies, which can cause defective autonomic control of major organs including the kidney. This study aimed to examine the α1‐adrenoceptor subtype(s) involved in mediating adrenergically induced renal vasoconstriction in a rat model of diabetes and hypertension. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), 220–280 g, were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone 7‐day poststreptozotocin (55 mg kg−1 i.p.) treatment. The reductions in renal blood flow (RBF) induced by increasing frequencies of electrical renal nerve stimulation (RNS), close intrarenal bolus doses of noradrenaline (NA), phenylephrine (PE) or methoxamine were determined before and after administration of nitrendipine (Nit), 5‐methylurapidil (5‐MeU), chloroethylclonidine (CEC) and BMY 7378. In the nondiabetic SHR group, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 146±6 mmHg, RBF was 28.0±1.4 ml min−1 kg−1 and blood glucose was 112.3±4.7 mg dl−1, and in the diabetic SHR Group, MAP was 144±3 mmHg, RBF 26.9±1.3 ml−1 min kg−1 and blood glucose 316.2±10.5 mg dl−1. Nit, 5‐MeU and BMY 7378 blunted all the adrenergically induced renal vasoconstrictor responses in SHR and diabetic SHR by 25–35% (all P<0.05), but in diabetic rats the responses induced by RNS and NA treated with 5‐MeU were not changed. By contrast, during the administration of CEC, vasoconstrictor responses to all agonists were enhanced by 20–25% (all P<0.05) in both the SHR and diabetic SHR. These findings suggest that α1A and α1D‐adrenoceptor subtypes contribute in mediating the adrenergically induced constriction of the renal vasculature in both the SHR and diabetic SHR. There was also an indication of a greater contribution of presynaptic adrenoceptors, that is, α1B‐, and/or α2‐subtypes.

Influence of combined hypertension and renal failure on functional α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat kidney

Background and purpose: This study investigated whether the α1‐adrenoceptor responsiveness of the renal vasculature was altered in the state of hypertension combined with renal failure.

Influence of sympathetic and AT1‐receptor blockade on angiotensin II and adrenergic agonist‐induced renal vasoconstrictions in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Aim:  This study investigated the influence of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor and adrenergic blockade on the renal vasoconstrictions caused by Ang II and adrenergic agonists in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

In Vivo Evaluation of Ethanolic Extract of Zingiber officinale Rhizomes for Its Protective Effect against Liver Cirrhosis

Zingiber officinale is a traditional medicine against various disorders including liver diseases.The aim of this study was to assess the hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of rhizomes of Z. officinale (ERZO) against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Five groups of male Sprague Dawley have been used. In group 1 rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of normal saline while groups 2–5 received thioacetamide (TAA, 200 mg/kg; i.p.) for induction of liver cirrhosis, thrice weekly for eight weeks. Group 3 received 50 mg/kg of silymarin. The rats in groups 4 and 5 received 250 and 500 mg/kg of ERZO (dissolved in 10% Tween), respectively. Hepatic damage was assessed grossly and microscopically for all of the groups. Results confirmed the induction of liver cirrhosis in group 2 whilst administration of silymarin or ERZO significantly reduced the impact of thioacetamide toxicity. These groups decreased fibrosis of the liver tissues. Immunohistochemistry assessment against proliferating cell nuclear antigen did not show remarkable proliferation in the ERZO-treated rats when compared with group 2. Moreover, factions of the ERZO extract were tested on Hep-G2 cells and showed antiproliferative activity (IC50 38–60 μg/mL). This study showed hepatoprotective effect of ERZO.

Α1B-Adrenoceptors mediate adrenergically-induced renal vasoconstrictions in rats with renal impairment

AbstractAim:This study examined whether α1B-adrenoceptors are involved in mediating adrenergically-induced renal vasoconstrictor responses in rats with pathophysiological and normal physiological states.Methods:Male Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats were induced with acute renal failure or experimental early diabetic nephropathy by cisplatin or streptozotocin, respectively. Cisplatin-induced renal failure was confirmed by impaired renal function and pronounced tubular damage. Experimental early diabetic nephropathy was confirmed by hyperglycemia, changes in physiological parameters, and renal function. The hemodynamic study was conducted on anesthetized rats after 7 d of cisplatin (renal failure) and 4 weeks of streptozotocin (experimental early diabetic nephropathy).Results:In the rats with renal failure and experimental early diabetic nephropathy, there were marked reductions in their baseline renal blood flow (P<0.01). The baseline mean arterial blood pressure was either unaltered or lower (all P>0.05) in the renal failure and experimental early diabetic nephropathy rats, respectively, as compared to their non-renal failure and non-diabetic nephropathy controls. In the rats with renal impairment, chloroethylclonidine caused either accentuation or attenuation (all P<0.01) of the renal vasoconstrictor responses elicited by the adrenergic stimuli. However, in the non-renal failure and in the non-diabetic nephropathy rats, chloroethylclonidine did not cause any alteration in such responses (P>0.05).Conclusion:This study demonstrated the presence of functional α1B-adrenoceptors that mediated the adrenergically-induced renal vasoconstrictions in rats with renal impairment, but not in rats with normal renal function.

Andrographis paniculata Leaf Extract Prevents Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic Andrographis paniculata leaf extract (ELAP) on thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. An acute toxicity study proved that ELAP is not toxic in rats. To examine the effects of ELAP in vivo, male Sprague Dawley rats were given intraperitoneal injections of vehicle 10% Tween-20, 5 mL/kg (normal control) or 200 mg/kg TAA thioacetamide (to induce liver cirrhosis) three times per week. Three additional groups were treated with thioacetamide plus daily oral silymarin (50 mg/kg) or ELAP (250 or 500 mg/kg). Liver injury was assessed using biochemical tests, macroscopic and microscopic tissue analysis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, HepG2 and WRL-68 cells were treated in vitro with ELAP fractions to test cytotoxicity. Rats treated with ELAP exhibited significantly lower liver/body weight ratios and smoother, more normal liver surfaces compared with the cirrhosis group. Histopathology using Hematoxylin and Eosin along with Masson’s Trichrome stain showed minimal disruption of hepatic cellular structure, minor fibrotic septa, a low degree of lymphocyte infiltration, and minimal collagen deposition after ELAP treatment. Immunohistochemistry indicated that ELAP induced down regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Also, hepatic antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress parameters in ELAP-treated rats were comparable to silymarin-treated rats. ELAP administration reduced levels of altered serum liver biomarkers. ELAP fractions were non-cytotoxic to WRL-68 cells, but possessed anti-proliferative activity on HepG2 cells, which was confirmed by a significant elevation of lactate dehydrogenase, reactive oxygen species, cell membrane permeability, cytochrome c, and caspase-8,-9, and, -3/7 activity in HepG2 cells. A reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential was also detected in ELAP-treated HepG2 cells. The hepatoprotective effect of 500 mg/kg of ELAP is proposed to result from the reduction of thioacetamide-induced toxicity, normalizing reactive oxygen species levels, inhibiting cellular proliferation, and inducing apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

A critical review of pharmacological significance of Hydrogen Sulfide in hypertension

In the family of gas transmitters, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is yet not adequately researched. Known for its rotten egg smell and adverse effects on the brain, lungs, and kidneys for more than 300 years, the vasorelaxant effects of H2S on blood vessel was first observed in 1997. Since then, research continued to explore the possible therapeutic effects of H2S in hypertension, inflammation, pancreatitis, different types of shock, diabetes, and heart failure. However, a considerable amount of efforts are yet needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effects of H2S, such as nitric oxide-dependent or independent vasodilation in hypertension and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. More than a decade of good repute among researchers, H2S research has certain results that need to be clarified or reevaluated. H2S produces its response by multiple modes of action, such as opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, and calcium channel blockade. H2S is endogenously produced from two sulfur-containing amino acids L-cysteine and L-methionine by the two enzymes cystathionine γ lyase and cystathionine β synthase. Recently, the third enzyme, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase, along with cysteine aminotransferase, which is similar to aspartate aminotransferase, has been found to produce H2S in the brain. The H2S has interested researchers, and a great deal of information is being generated every year. This review aims to provide an update on the developments in the research of H2S in hypertension amid the ambiguity in defining the exact role of H2S in hypertension because of insufficient number of research results on this area. This critical review on the role of H2S in hypertension will clarify the gray areas and highlight its future prospects.

Obesity depresses baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate in Sprague Dawley rats: role of the renal innervation

This study investigated the role of the renal innervation in arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and heart rate (HR) in rats fed a high‐fat diet to induce obesity.

Chemoprevention of colonic aberrant crypt foci by Gynura procumbens in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gynura procumbens is commonly used as a traditional medicinal plant in Malaysia for treatment of many diseases. To investigate the chemopreventive properties of Gynura procumbens on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats. METHODS Five groups of adult male rats were used in this experiment. Normal/control group; the rats were injected subcutaneously with 15 mg/kg of sterile normal saline once a week for two weeks, and orally administered with 10% Tween 20 (5 mL/kg). Carcinogen and treatment groups; the rats were injected subcutaneously each with 15 mg/kg body weight AOM once a week for 2 weeks and were continued to be fed for two months, respectively with 10% Tween 20, 500 and 250mg/kg body weight plant extracts. Reference group; the rats were injected subcutaneously with 15 mg/kg body weight AOM once a week for 2 weeks, and injected intraperitoneally with fluorouracil 35 mg/kg body weight for five consecutive days. RESULT Total ACF detected in methylene blue stained whole mounts of rat colon were 21, 23and 130 in rats fed with 500, 250 mg/kg body weight treatment and carcinogen groups, respectively. Treatment with high and low doses of the plant extract led to83.6% and 82.2% decrease in the total crypts in the groups fed 500 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg Gynura procumbens respectively compared to carcinogen group. Immunohistochemical staining of ACF showed suppressed azoxymethane induced colonic cell proliferation and Bcl-2 expression. Glutathione-S-transfarase and superoxide dismutase activities were higher in treated rats compared to carcinogen groups. CONCLUSION Gynura procumbens reduced the incidence of AOM induced ACF. The findings showed that Gynura procumbens may have antiproliferative and antioxidative properties. Moreover, Gynura procumbens possesses the medicinal properties to prevent colon cancer.