Sabah Ansar

Role of ascorbic acid in counteracting ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Abstract Context: Ascorbic acid (AA) is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is necessary for normal growth and development, and has been shown to protect against tissue toxicity and oxidative stress. Objective: The protective effect of AA against nephrotoxicity induced in albino rats by ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) was evaluated. Materials and methods: Male albino rats of Wistar strain (4–6 weeks old) weighing 125–150 g were used in this study. Animals were given a single dose of Fe-NTA (9 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal) after a week of treatment with AA (1 and 2 mg/animal/day). Results: Fe-NTA treatment enhanced microsomal lipid peroxidation (LPO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation to 1.7- to 2.2-fold, glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased by two-fold and the activities of GSH metabolizing enzymes decreased to a range of 2.2- to 2.5-fold in renal tissue. These changes were reversed significantly in animals receiving pretreatment of AA. Treatment of rats with AA prior to the treatment with Fe-NTA decreased microsomal LPO and H2O2 generation to 124 and 172%, and also resulted in the recovery of reduced levels of GSH, GSH-metabolizing enzymes to almost 92% at the higher dose level of AA. Discussion and conclusion: AA protects against Fe-NTA-induced nephrotoxicity and renal damage. AA has a beneficial impact on Fe-NTA-induced toxicity due to its scavenging and antioxidant effect in albino rats.

Diallyl sulphide, a component of garlic, abrogates ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced oxidative stress and renal damage in rats

Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induces tissue necrosis as a result of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidative damage that leads to high incidence of renal carcinomas. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of diallyl sulphide (DAS) against Fe-NTA-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 30 healthy male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each: (1) control, (2) DAS (200 mg kg−1), (3) Fe-NTA (9 g Fe kg−1), (4) DAS (100 mg kg−1) + Fe-NTA (9 mg Fe kg−1) and (5) DAS (200 mg kg−1) + Fe-NTA (9 mg Fe kg−1). Fe-NTA + DAS-treated groups were given DAS for a period of 1 week before Fe-NTA administration. The intraperitoneal administration of Fe-NTA enhanced blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels with reduction in levels of antioxidant enzymes. However, significant restoration of depleted renal glutathione and its dependent enzymes (glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase) was observed in DAS pretreated groups. DAS also attenuated Fe-NTA-induced increase in LPO, hydrogen peroxide generation and protein carbonyl formation (p < 0.05). The results indicate that DAS may be beneficial in ameliorating the Fe-NTA-induced renal oxidative damage in rats.

Pretreatment with diallylsulphide modulates mercury-induced neurotoxicity in male rats

Many studies have reported on the toxicity and related oxidative stress of mercury. Antioxidants play an important role in counteracting metal-induced neurotoxicity under in vivo conditions. In this study, the effect of diallylsulphide (DAS) was evaluated on mercuric chloride induced activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione content in brains of rats. Pretreatment of rats with DAS in the Hg-treated group also inhibited an increase in lipid peroxidation and elevated acetyl cholinesterase and glutathione content. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were also restored concomitantly when compared to the control rats after DAS administration. DAS also caused a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α level which was higher in HgCl2-treated group. The results indicate that DAS augments antioxidant defense with anti-inflammatory response against HgCl2-induced neurotoxicity. The increased level of antioxidant enzymes enhances the antioxidant potential of the organ to reduce oxidative stress.

Therapeutic role of quercetin on oxidative damage induced by acrylamide in rat brain

Abstract Context Quercetin (QE), a bioflavonoid present abundantly in fruits and vegetables, has been reported to possess antioxidant properties. Acrylamide (ACR) is formed in foods during cooking and is known to be neurotoxic. Objective The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of QE against neurotoxicity induced by ACR. Materials and methods Four groups of Wistar rats consisting of six rats each: (i) control group; (ii) acrylamide treated group (50 mg/kg body weight as single dose); (iii) quercetin group: rats were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with QE (10 mg/kg body weight alone every day for 5 d); (iv) quercetin + acrylamide group: quercetin (10 mg/kg bw) was given i.p. every day for 5 d followed by acrylamide i.p. injection (50 mg/kg bw) on fifth day (single dose). Rats were killed after 48 h. Results Administration of ACR (50 mg/kg bw) in Wistar rats resulted in significant increase of dopamine, interferon-γ and 8-hydroxyguanosine with concomitant decrease of serotonin (p < 0.001) in the rat brain. Treatment of rats with QE intraperitonealy (10 mg/kg body weight) before ACR assault resulted in the diminution of ACR-mediated neurotoxicity as evident from decreased levels of dopamine, interferon-γ (p < 0.001) and 8-hydroxyguanosine with concomitant restoration of serotonin levels (p < 0.001). Discussion and conclusion On the basis of the above results, the present study suggests that quercetin may be a potential therapeutic agent for restoration of oxidative damage to neurons.

Protective effect of diallylsulphide against mercuric chloride-induced hepatic injury in rats.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of diallylsulphide (DAS) against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced oxidative stress in rat livers. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each and exposed to HgCl2 (50 mg/kg/body weight (b.w.)) intraperitoneally and/or DAS (200 mg/kg/b.w.) by gavage. HgCl2 administration enhanced alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p < 0.05) with reduction in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). However, treatment with DAS markedly attenuated HgCl2-induced biochemical alterations in liver and serum transaminases (AST and ALT; p < 0.05). Further, biochemical results were confirmed by histopathological changes as compared to HgCl2-intoxicated rats. Histopathology of liver also showed that administration of DAS significantly reduced the damage generated by HgCl2. The present study suggests that DAS shows antioxidant activity and plays a protective role against mercury-induced oxidative damage in the rat livers.

Assessment of gender-related differences in vitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk factors in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) including stroke, coronary heart disease, and peripheral artery disease. It remains a leading cause of mortality throughout the world, affecting both women and men. This investigation was aimed to study gender based differences in cardiovascular risk factors of adult population with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to check the correlation between serum HbA1C, lipid profile and serum vitamin D levels, in T2DM patients of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This hospital-based cross-sectional study involving subjects was divided into two gender based groups; normal male (800), diabetic male (800) and normal female (800) and T2DM females (800). Blood samples were analyzed for fasting glucose (FBG), HbA1c, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (Tg), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum levels of 25(OH)-vitamin D in all groups. All the glycemic control parameters and lipid profile parameters were found to be significantly different in diabetic vs non-diabetic group (p < 0.001) in both genders. The results also show that vitamin D concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in diabetic patients than the healthy individuals in both the genders. Vitamin-D and HbA1C were negatively correlated in both males and females in T2DM patients and significant at P < 0.05. Our study reveals that dyslipidemia remains one of the major risk factors of CVD in T2DM. In addition to dyslipidemia, decreased levels of vitamin-D associated with increased HbA1C alarms the early diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.

Antioxidant and nephroprotective potential of butylated hydroxyanisole against ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced oxidative stress and early tumor events

The present study was aimed to study protective effect of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a phenolic antioxidant used in foods on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)–induced nephrotoxicity. Male albino rats of Wistar strain (4–6 weeks old) weighing 125–150 g were used in this study. Animals were given a single dose of Fe-NTA (9 mg kg−1 body weight) after treatment with BHA (1 and 2 mg animal−1 day−1). Fe-NTA treatment enhanced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity to 5.3-fold, and [3H]-thymidine incorporation in DNA to 2.5-fold in kidney compared with the corresponding saline-treated control, whereas glutathione (GSH) levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased to a range of 2- to 2.5-fold in kidney. These changes were reversed significantly in animals receiving a pretreatment of BHA. The enhanced ODC activity and DNA synthesis showed a reduction to 2.12-fold and 1.15-fold, respectively, at a higher dose of 2 mg BHA day−1 animal−1, compared with the Fe-NTA-treated groups. Pretreatment with BHA prior to Fe-NTA treatment increased GSH and the activities of antioxidant enzymes to a range of 1.5- to 2-fold in kidney. The results indicate that BHA suppresses Fe-NTA-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats.

Amelioration of ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats by diallylsulfide

Garlic contains diallylsulfide (DAS) and other structurally related compounds that are widely believed to be active agents in preventing cancer. This study shows the effect of DAS (a phenolic antioxidant used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products) on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 125–150 g were given a single dose of Fe-NTA (9 mg kg−1 body weight, intraperitoneally) after 1 week of treatment with 100 and 200 mg kg−1 DAS in corn oil respectively administered through the gavage. Fe-NTA administration led to 2.5-fold increase in the values of both alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase, respectively, and 3.2-fold increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, microsomal lipid peroxidation to approximately 2.0-fold compared to saline-treated control. The activities of glutathione (GSH) and other antioxidant enzymes decreased to a range of 2.2–2.5-fold. These changes were reversed significantly (p < 0.001) in animals receiving a pretreatment of DAS. DAS protected against hepatic lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide generation, preserved GSH levels, and GSH metabolizing enzymes to 60–80% as compared to Fe-NTA alone-treated group. Present data suggest that DAS can ameliorate the toxic effects of Fe-NTA and suppress oxidant-induced tissue injury and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Effect of dietary antioxidant on mercuric chloride induced lung toxicity and oxidative stress

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental contaminant mercuric chloride on levels of trace elements and oxidative parameters in rat lungs and to investigate the efficacy of possible protection by natural antioxidant diallylsulphide (DAS) against lung injury. Twenty-four healthy male rats were randomly divided into four groups: I – control, II – DAS (200 mg/kg), III – HgCl2 (50 mg/kg), and IV – DAS (200 mg/kg) + HgCl2 (50 mg/kg). Mercuric chloride induced oxidative stress was indicated by a significant decrease in levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase as compared to the control group (p–<0.05). Also, hydroxyproline (HYP) content in lung tissues of mercuric chloride-treated group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). DAS markedly attenuated mercuric-induced biochemical alterations in lungs by upregulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These findings indicated that within the doses selected, DAS can provide significant protection against HgCl2-induced toxicity.

Effect of rutin on proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in toxin-mediated hepatotoxicity

Abstract The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of rutin (RT) on lead (Pb)-induced oxidative stress. Rats were divided into groups and were treated with RT with or without lead. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were evaluated. Levels of AST, ALT, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly decreased, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased in the liver of rats treated with RT along with Pb. Histologic changes were improved to almost a normal hepatic structure. The results suggest that RT controls the damaged antioxidant status in Pb-induced oxidative stress.