The Role of Rosmarinic Acid in the Protection Against Inflammatory Factors in Rats Model With Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension: Investigating the Signaling Pathway of NFκB, OPG, Runx2, and P-Selectin in Heart.

ABSTRACT: Shortness of breath and syncope are common symptoms of right ventricular failure caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is the result of blockage and increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. There is a significant amount of evidence supporting the idea that inflammation and vascular calcification (VC) are important factors in PAH pathogenesis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the features of the inflammatory process and gene expression involved in VC in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rats. MCT (60 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to induce PAH. Animals were given normal saline or rosmarinic acid (RA) (10, 15, and 30 mg/kg, gavage) for 21 days. An increase in right ventricular systolic pressure was evaluated as confirming PAH. To determine the level of inflammation in lung tissue, pulmonary edema and the total and differential white blood cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured. Also, the expression of NFκB, OPG, Runx2, and P-selectin genes was investigated to evaluate the level of VC in the heart. Our experiment showed that RA significantly decreased right ventricular hypertrophy, inflammatory factors, NFκB, Runx2, and P-selectin gene expression, pulmonary edema, total and differential white blood cell count, and increased OPG gene expression. Therefore, our research showed that RA protects against MCT-induced PAH by reducing inflammation and VC in rats.

Effects of Gallic Acid on Memory Deficits and Electrophysiological Impairments Induced by Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats Following Exposure to Ambient Dust Storm.

We aimed to investigate the probable protective effects of gallic acid (GA) on cognitive deficits, hippocampal long term potentiation (LTP) impairments, and molecular changes induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats following exposure to ambient dust storm. After pretreatment with GA (100 mg/kg), or vehicle (Veh) (normal saline, 2 ml/kg) for ten days, and 60 minutes' exposure to dust storm including PM (PM, 2000-8000 g/m3) every day, 4-vessel occlusion (4VO) type of I/R was induced. Three days after I/R induction, we evaluated behavioral, electrophysiological, histopathological, molecular and brain tissue inflammatory cytokine changes. Our findings indicated that pretreatment with GA significantly reduced cognitive impairments caused by I/R (P < 0.05) and hippocampal LTP impairments caused by I/R after PM exposure (P < 0.001). Additionally, after exposure to PM, I/R significantly elevated the tumor necrosis factor α content (P < 0.01) and miR-124 level (P < 0.001) while pre-treatment with GA reduced the level of miR-124 (P < 0.001). Histopathological results also revealed that I/R and PM caused cell death in the hippocampus CA1 area (P < 0.001) and that GA decreased the rate of cell death (P < 0.001). Our findings show that GA can prevent brain inflammation, and thus cognitive and LTP deficits caused by I/R, PM exposure, or both.

The protective effect of p-Coumaric acid on hepatic injury caused by particulate matter in the rat and determining the role of long noncoding RNAs MEG3 and HOTAIR.

Increasing air pollution is associated with serious human health problems. P-coumaric acid (PC) is a herbal phenolic compound that exhibits beneficial pharmacological potentials. Here, the protective effect of PC on liver injury induced by air pollution was examined. Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided randomly into four groups (n = 8). The groups were; Control (rats received DMSO and then exposed to clean air), PC (rats received PC and then exposed to clean air), DMSO + Dust (rats received DMSO and then exposed to dust), and PC + Dust (the animals received PC and then exposed to dust). The clean air, DMSO, PC, and dust were administrated 3 days a week for 6 consecutive weeks. The rats were anesthetized and their blood samples and liver sections were taken to conduct molecular, biomedical, and histopathological tests. Dust exposure increased the liver enzymes, bilirubin, triglyceride, cholesterol, and the production of liver malondialdehyde, and decreased in liver total anti-oxidant capacity and serum high-density lipoprotein. It also increased the mRNA expression of inflammatory-related cytokines, decreased the mRNA expression of SIRT-1, decreased the expression levels of miR-20b5p, and MEG3 while increased the expression levels of miR-34a, and HOTAIR. Dust exposure also increased the liver content of three cytokines TNF-α, NF-κB, HMGB-1, and ATG-7 proteins. PC enhanced liver function against adverse effects of dust through recovering almost all the studied variables. Exposure to dust damaged the liver through induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and autophagy. PC protected the liver against dust-induced cytotoxicity.

OXR1 signaling pathway as a possible mechanism of elastase-induced oxidative damage in pulmonary cells: the protective role of ellagic acid.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is a process that occurs through free radicals on the cell membranes which causes damage to the cell and intracellular organelles, especially mitochondria membranes. H2O2 induced oxidative stress in human cells is of interest in toxicological research since oxidative stress plays a main role in the etiology of several pathological conditions. Neutrophil Elastase (Serine proteinase) is involved in the pathology process of emphysema as a respiratory disease through lung inflammation, and destruction of alveolar walls. The present study investigated the direct oxidative stress effects of Elastase in comparison with H2O2 on human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells) concerning the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulation of oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) and its downstream pathway using the well-known antioxidant Ellagic acid as an activator of antioxidant genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549) were divided into the nine groups including Negative control, Positive control (H2O2), Elastase (15, 30, and 60 mU/mL), Ellagic acid (10 µmol/L), and Elastase + Ellagic acid. Cytotoxicity, ROS generation, oxidative stress profile, level of reactive metabolites, and gene expression of OXR1 and its downstream genes were measured in all groups. RESULTS: The obtained data demonstrated that Elastase exposure caused oxidative stress damage in a dose-depended manner which was associated with decreases in antioxidant defense system genes. Conversely, treatment with Ellagic acid as a potent antioxidant showed improved antioxidant enzyme activity and content which was in line with the upregulation of OXR1 signaling pathway genes. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings can highlight the novel mechanism underlying the oxidative stress induced by Neutrophil Elastase through OXR1 and related genes. Moreover, the benefit of Ellagic acid on cytoprotection, resulting from its antioxidant properties was documented.

Supplement therapy with apelin for improving the TSH level and lipid disorders in PTU-induced hypothyroid rats.

Hyperlipidemia is a common metabolic disorder in the general population, which may arise in hypothyroidism. Apelin is an endogenous ligand that acts as an adiponectin, and is involved in energy storage and metabolism. This study evaluated the effects of apelin administration per se or in combination with T4 on the serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), body weight, and lipid profile, along with the serum level of apelin, and its mRNA expression in heart, in 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroid rats. Male Wistar rats were assigned to five different groups: control, H (hypothyroid), H+A, H+T, and H+A+T. All groups except the control one received PTU (0.05%) in the drinking water for 6 weeks. In addition to PTU, the H+A, H+T, and H+A+T groups received apelin (200 µg/kg/day, i.p.), l-thyroxin (T4) (20 µg/kg/day, via gavage tube), and apelin+T4 during the last 14 days of the trial, respectively. A combined application of T4 and apelin in the H+A+T group effectively diminished mean TSH level, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and atherogenic index in these animals when compared with these values for the H group. Coadministration of apelin with T4 may offer valuable therapeutic benefits, specifically lowering blood plasma TSH, lipid disorder, and atherosclerosis biomarkers in PTU-induced hypothyroid rats.

The effects of thymoquinone on memory impairment and inflammation in rats with hepatic encephalopathy induced by thioacetamide.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a prevalent complication of the central nervous system (CNS) that is caused by acute or chronic liver failure. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE in rats, and determine the consequential behavioral, biochemical, and histological changes. HE was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 200 mg/kg TAA once every 48 h for 14 consecutive days. Control groups received the normal saline containing 5 % DMSO. Thymoquinone (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was administered for ten consecutive days intraperitoneally (i.p.) after HE induction and it was continued until the end of the tests. Then, the passive avoidance memory, extracellular single unit, BBB permeability, and brain water content were evaluated. Moreover, hippocampal tissues were used for evaluation of oxidative stress index, inflammatory biomarkers, and histological parameters following HE. As result of the treatment, TQ improved passive avoidance memory, increased the average number of simultaneous firing of spikes/bins, improved the integrity of BBB, and decreased brain water content in the animal model of HE. Furthermore, the results indicated that treatment with TQ decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß) but increased the levels of glutathione (GSH) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) of the surviving cells in the hippocampal tissues. This study demonstrates that TQ may have beneficial therapeutic effects on cognitive, oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory, and histological complications of HE in rat.

Crocin attenuates cigarette smoke-induced lung injury and cardiac dysfunction by anti-oxidative effects: the role of Nrf2 antioxidant system in preventing oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been emerging as a great health problem in world. Cigarette smoke is known to cause oxidative stress and deplete glutathione (GSH) levels. Nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is involved in transcriptional regulation of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLc). Antioxidant compounds may be of therapeutic value in monitoring disease progression. Crocin demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of crocin against CSE-mediated oxidative stress, inflammatory process, Nrf2 modifications and impairment of cardiac function in rats with COPD. METHODS: Eighty rats were divided into four groups: Control, Cigarette smoke exposure (CSE), Crocin, Crocin+CS. Each group was divided into the two parts: 1) to evaluate lung inflammatory and oxidative process, 2) to evaluate the effect of Cigarette smoke induced-lung injuries on cardiac electrocardiogram (such as heart rate and QRS complex) and hemodynamic parameters (such as perfusion pressure and left ventricular developed pressure). RESULTS: CSE rats showed a significant increase in cotinine concentration (17.24 ng/ml), and inflammatory parameters and a decrease in PO2 (75.87 mmHg) and expression of PKC (0.86 fold), PI3K (0.79 fold), MAPK (0.87 fold), Nrf2 (0.8 fold) and GCLc (0.75 fold) genes, antioxidant activity, and finally cardiac abnormalities in electrocardiogram and hemodynamic parameters. Co-treatment whit crocin could restore all these values to normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: CS induced-COPD in rat model provides evidence that chronic CS exposure leads to lung injury and mediated cardiac dysfunction. Crocin co-treatment by modulating of Nrf2 pathway protected lung injury caused by COPD and its related cardiac dysfunction. In this study, we showed the importance of Nrf2 activators as a therapeutic target for the development of novel therapy for lung oxidative injuries.

The effects of olive leaf extract and 28 days forced treadmill exercise on electrocardiographic parameters in rats.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that regular activity can prevent of cardiovascular diseases. There are many reports that exercise and the consumption of olive leaf extract (OLE) have a positive effect on cardiovascular parameters. This study was conducted to compare the effects of exercise and OLE alone and together on electrocardiographic parameters in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8 rats in each): Control, exercise, OLE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, orally for 14 days), and exercise + OLE (200 mg/kg of extract, orally for 14 days). Exercise training in rats was performed using treadmill for 28 days (1 h/day). Electrophysiological parameters including heart rate, PR interval, QT interval, QT corrected (QTc), RR interval, QRS voltage, and duration were obtained from lead II electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded by a PowerLab system. Statistical evaluation was done by one-way analysis of variance followed by Fisher's least significant difference test and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The amounts of QT (P = 0.0009) and QTc interval (P = 0.0004), RR interval (P < 0.0001), QRS duration (P = 0.004), and QRS voltage (P = 0.003) in the exercise group were significantly higher than those of the control group. However, there were no significant differences in PR interval in comparison with the control group. Exercise (P < 0.0001) and OLE (400 mg/kg, P = 0.043) alone and both in combination (P = 0.007) reduced heart rate and increased the amount of QRS voltage (P = 0.003, P = 0.047, and P = 0.046, respectively) and RR interval (P < 0.0001, P = 0.046, and P = 0.0009, respectively). CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicated that administration of OLE alone and in combination with exercise has negative chronotropic and positive inotropic effects and also it can prevent of prolongation of QT and QTc interval induced by severe exercise.

Effect of vanillic acid on ischemia-reperfusion of isolated rat heart: Hemodynamic parameters and infarct size assays.

Vanillic acid is an oxidized form of vanillin produced during the conversion of vanillin to ferulic acid and has free radical scavenging, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of vanillic acid on hemodynamic parameters and infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion of isolated rat heart. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and treatment groups (n = 10). The treatment groups were administered vanillic acid 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg orally for 10 days, then the hearts isolated and were exposed to 30 min ischemia and 1 h reperfusion, using langendorff apparatus. The effects of vanillic acid, on left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), LV end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), LV pressure (LVP), peak rate of rise and fall of LVP (±dp/dt), coronary flow (CF), rate pressure product (RPP) and infarct size were examined. Rats administered with vanillic acid (10 and 20 mg/kg), displayed significantly improved recovery of LVEDP, RPP, LVDP, LVP and ± dp/dt as compared to control group. There was also significant beneficial effect of these two doses to reduce infarct size. Our results suggest that vanillic acid can effectively improve ventricular function and reduce infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion of isolated rat heart.

Protective effects of crocin on hemodynamic parameters and infarct size in comparison with vitamin E after ischemia reperfusion in isolated rat hearts.

Although reperfusion is a useful method for the survival of ischemic heart, harmful effects have been observed. This study was carried out to investigate the preconditioning and cardioprotective potential effects of crocin and vitamin E on the hemodynamic and infarct size in the ischemia-reperfusion model of isolated rat hearts. Animals were divided into a control group, an ischemia-reperfusion control group and three treatment groups: crocin (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg), vitamin E (100 mg/kg), and combination (crocin 40 mg/kg with vitamin E 100 mg/kg). The hearts were excised, quickly transferred to a Langendorff apparatus, and subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Left ventricular developed pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, myocardial contractility, rate pressure product, coronary flow, and infarct size were assessed. The successful induction of ischemia was determined by ST elevation on the electrocardiogram.The results showed that crocin significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and also reduced infarct size in the rat hearts. However, the combination of crocin 40 mg/kg and vitamin E 100 mg/kg had an even more significantly improved effect on the hemodynamic parameters and infarct size.Therefore, it can be suggested that the protective role of crocin may be due to the stability or reinforcement of antioxidant systems, and crocin could be useful for the treatment or prevention of cardiac dysfunction.

Rosmarinic acid ameliorates the complications of monocrotaline-induced right ventricular hypertrophy on the left ventricle: Investigating the signaling pathway of Wnt/ß-catenin in the heart.

Objectives: Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) often results in failure of the right ventricle or even the left ventricle. Rosmarinic acid (RA), a natural polyphenol, is commonly found in Boraginaceae species and some species of ferns and hornworts. This study looked at how RA affects oxidative stress and left ventricular hemodynamic functions as well as RVH in monocrotaline (MCT) induced RVH model rats. Materials and Methods: To cause RVH, MCT (60 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally (IP) injected. Rats were given saline or RA (10, 15, and 30 mg/kg, gavage, over 21 days). In anesthetized rats, the lead II electrocardiogram was recorded. The hemodynamic functions of the isolated heart were measured using the Langendorff apparatus (at constant pressure). Investigations were made into the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and Wnt and ß-catenin gene expressions in the left ventricle. H&E staining was used. Results: A significant decline in electrocardiogram parameters and anti-oxidant enzyme activities, an increase in QTc (Q-T corrected) intervals, MDA (Malondialdehyde), RVHI, and Wnt/ß-catenin gene expression, and also significant changes in the hemodynamic parameters were demonstrated in the MCT group. RA improved the above-mentioned factors. Conclusion: According to the findings, RA may act as a cardioprotective agent against cardiovascular complications brought on by RVH due to its capacity to boost the activity of cardiac anti-oxidant enzymes and decrease the expression of genes involved in vascular calcification.

The protective effects of gallic acid and SGK1 inhibitor on cardiac damage and genes involved in Ca2+ homeostasis in an isolated heart model of ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat.

Serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) is an enzyme that may play a vital role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This enzyme may affect sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2), ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and sodium/calcium exchanger (NCX1) during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. The objective of this investigation was to analyze the effects of the combination of GSK650394 (SGK1 inhibitor) and gallic acid on the calcium ions regulation, inflammation, and cardiac dysfunction resulting from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the heart. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups, pretreated with gallic acid or vehicle for 10 days. Then the heart was isolated and exposed to I/R. In the SGK1 inhibitor groups, GSK650394 was infused 5 min before ischemia induction. After that, Ca2+ homeostasis, inflammatory factors, cardiac function, antioxidant activity, and myocardial damage were evaluated. The findings suggested that the use of two drugs in combination therapy produced more significant improvements in left ventricular end diastolic pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, RR-interval, ST-elevation, inflammation factors, and antioxidant enzymes activity as compared to the use of each drug. Despite this, there was a significant decrease observed in heart marker enzymes (including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin-I (cTn-I), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) when compared to the ischemic group. Additionally, the expression of RyR2, NCX1, and SERCA2 genes showed a noteworthy increase as compared to the ischemic group. The findings of this study propose that using both of these agents on myocardial I/R injury could have superior advantages compared to using only one of them.

Protective effects of gallic acid and SGK1 inhibitor on oxidative stress and cardiac damage in an isolated heart model of ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Objectives: Oxidative stress and serum and glucocorticoid-induced Kinase 1 gene (SGK1) perform a central role in the consequences of ischemia in the heart. This research aimed to investigate the effect of coadministration of gallic acid and the GSK650394 (as SGK1 gene inhibitor) on the ischemic complications of a rat model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Materials and Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups with or without pretreatment with gallic acid for 10 days. After that, the heart was isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. A 30 min of ischemia was performed followed by a 60 min reperfusion. In 2 groups, GSK650394 was infused 5 min before ischemia induction. Ten minutes after reperfusion commencement, cardiac marker enzyme (CK-MB, LDH, and cTn-I) activities were measured in the cardiac perfusate. At the end of reperfusion, the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes (Catalase, Superoxide dismutase, and Glutathione peroxidase), lipid peroxidation (MDA), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), infarct size, and SGK1 gene expression were measured in the heart tissue. Results: The results indicated that dual therapy with both drugs significantly improved endogenous anti-oxidant enzyme activity and TAC more than each drug alone. However, the heart marker enzymes (CK-MB, LDH, and cTn-I), MDA, ROS, infarct size, and SGK1 gene expression were reduced significantly compared with the ischemic group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that concomitant administration of both drugs in the case of cardiac I/R injury may have a more beneficial effect than each one alone.

Effect of Berberine against Cognitive Deficits in Rat Model of Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatic Encephalopathy (Behavioral, Biochemical, Molecular and Histological Evaluations).

BACKGROUND: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is one of the chronic liver diseases with high disability and mortality accompanying hepatic encephalopathy (HE) followed by cognitive dysfunctions. In this work, the effect of berberine (Ber) on spatial cognition was studied in a rat model of LC induced by thioacetamide (TAA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into six groups: (1) control; (2) TAA, 200 mg/kg/day, i.p.; (3-5) TAA + Ber; received Ber (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg, i.p., daily after last TAA injection); (6) Dizocilpine (MK-801) + TAA, received MK-801 (2 mg/kg/day, i.p.) 30 m before TAA injection. The spatial memory, BBB permeability, brain edema, liver enzymes, urea, serum and brain total bilirubin, oxidative stress and cytokine markers in the hippocampus were measured. Furthermore, a histological examination of the hippocampus was carried out. RESULTS: The BBB permeability, brain edema, liver enzymes, urea, total bilirubin levels in serum and hippocampal MDA and TNF-α increased significantly after TAA injection (p < 0.001); the spatial memory was impaired (p < 0.001), and hippocampal IL-10 decreased (p < 0.001). Ber reversed all the above parameters significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). MK-801 prevented the development of LC via TAA (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Results showed that Ber improves spatial learning and memory in TAA-induced LC by improving the BBB function, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Ber might be a promising therapeutic agent for cognitive improvement in LC.

Effect of Gallic Acid Pretreatment and SGK1 Enzyme Inhibition on Cardiac Function and Inflammation in a Rat Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) is an enzyme that may play an important role in ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury and myocardial dysfunction. Although many studies have been conducted on individual antioxidants, little attention has been paid to the effects of co-administration of an antioxidant with an SGK1 inhibitor on cardiac function after I/R. Methods: This study aimed to determine the effects of gallic acid (as an antioxidant) combined with an SGK1 inhibitor on I/R-induced cardiac dysfunction and inflammation. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomized into 6 groups, pretreated with gallic acid or vehicle for 10 days. Subsequently, the heart was isolated and exposed to I/R. In groups that received the SGK1 inhibitor, the heart was perfused with the SGK1 inhibitor GSK650394, 5 min before induction of ischemia. After that, cardiac function, inflammatory factors, and myocardial damage were evaluated. Results: The combination of these two compounds improved cardiac contractility, heart rate, rate pressure product, left ventricular developed pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, perfusion pressure, and QRS voltage significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, concomitant therapy of these two agents reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, and the activity of creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, and troponin-I (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that administration of gallic acid with the SGK1 inhibitor may have a potentiating effect on the improvement of cardiac dysfunction and I/R-induced inflammation.

Dose-dependent renoprotective effect of vanillic acid on methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity via its anti-apoptosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity is a medical emergency which is associated with a variety of side effects. Vanillic acid (VA), as an antioxidant, removes free radical oxygen to protect cell defense. Therefore, this study investigated VA's beneficial effects on nephrotoxicity induced by methotrexate through its anti-apoptosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Our study included five groups of male Wistar rats (n = 8): sham, MTX (Methotrexate) group: rats receiving methotrexate (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) on Day 2. Moreover, the remaining groups consisted of animals that received vanillic acid (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, orally for seven days) plus MTX on the 2nd day. The rats were deeply anesthetized on the eighth day to obtain blood and renal tissue samples. The results showed that MTX can increase blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. However, VA (50 and 100 mg/kg) improved renal function as approved by histological findings. Compared with MTX-treated rats, VA enhanced the contents of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced renal malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, VA reduced mRNA expressions of caspase-3 and Bcl-2-associated x protein (Bax) and caused mRNA overexpression of the renal B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Nrf-2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) compared to the MTX group. Also, VA administration significantly reduced inflammatory agents. Overall, VA protects the kidneys against methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity via anti-apoptosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Our results revealed that the most effective dose of VA was 100 mg/kg.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in emphysema: Comparison of inflammatory markers changes in response to intratracheal and systemic delivery method.

Cytokines are the most important inflammatory mediators and are well-known as the main cause of emphysema. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as a cell-based treatment strategy could play a pivotal role in lung regeneration through anti-inflammatory and paracrine properties. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to the comparison of inflammation markers' improvement in response to the intratracheal and systemic delivery method of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in emphysema. Forty-eight rats were divided into five groups including Control, Elastase (25 IU/kg, Intratracheal, at day first and 10th), Elastase+PBS, Intratracheal cell therapy (1 ×107, at day 28th), and Systemic cell therapy groups (1 ×107, Jugular vein, at day 28th). After 3 weeks, the blood gas analysis (PO2, PCO2 and pH), fibrinogen level, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured in all groups. In addition, inflammatory genes expression, and concentration levels of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, and TGF-ß,) were evaluated using Real-time PCR and Elisa kits, respectively. The statistical analysis of our data shows that local administration leads to more significant treatment efficacy with decreased inflammation parameters such as WBC count and pro-inflammatory cytokines in comparison with systemic treatment. Besides, these results were approved by more reduction of CRP and fibrinogen concentration levels in blood samples of intra-tracheal AMSCs-treated rats compare with the systemic group. Moreover, the improvement in histopathology indexes of the local administrated group was significantly better than the systemic group. Accordingly, the obtained results suggest local administration as the most efficacious route for mesenchymal stem cells delivery in patients with emphysema.

p-Coumaric acid has pure anti-inflammatory characteristics against hepatopathy caused by ischemia-reperfusion in the liver and dust exposure.

Objectives: Studies show that chronic injuries like air pollution or acute damage such as hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) cause various cellular pathologies such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation in hepatocytes. p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) is known as an antioxidant with many therapeutic impacts on inflammatory-related pathologies. In this experiment, we aimed to assess the hepatoprotective effects of p-CA on liver damage induced by dust and IR injury in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups; Control (CTRL); sham; DMSO+Dust+Laparotomy (LPT); DMSO+Dust+Ischemia-reperfusion (IR); p-CA+Dust+LPT; and p-CA+Dust+IR. Clean air, DMSO, p-CA, and dust were administrated 3 days a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Animals were sacrificed, the blood samples were aspirated and the liver sections were prepared for biochemical and histopathological assessments. Results: Significantly (P<0.05), the results represented that dust and IR can potentially increase the levels of ALT, AST, direct and total bilirubin, triglyceride, and cholesterol in serum. Also, MDA, TNF-α , NF-κB . HMGB-1 and ATG-7 levels were increased in hepatocytes. Gene expression of Nrf2, HOX-1, IL-6, HOTAIR, and miR-34a showed an incremental trend in the liver tissue. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in hepatocytes was decreased following dust exposure and IR induction. Also, miR-20b-5p, MEG3, and SIRT1 in the liver were decreased in dust and dust+IR groups. Conclusion: p-CA alleviated pathological changes caused by dust exposure and IR injury. p-CA protected hepatic injury induced by dust and IR by inhibition of oxidative injury, inflammation, and autophagy.

Possible mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective effects of chrysin against mild traumatic brain injury-induced spatial cognitive decline: An in vivo study in a rat model.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognized as an important risk factor for cognitive deficits. The present study was designed to determine the potential neuroprotective effects of chrysin, a natural flavonoid compound, against TBI-induced spatial cognitive decline and the possible mechanisms involved. Oral administration of chrysin (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day) was initiated in rats immediately following the induction of the diffuse TBI model using the weight-dropping Marmarou model. Spatial cognitive ability, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, brain water content, and histological changes were assessed at scheduled time points. The animals subjected to TBI exhibited spatial cognitive decline in the Morris water maze (MWM) test, which was accompanied by inhibition of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) induction at the perforant path-dentate gyrus (PP-DG) synapses. Additionally, TBI caused BBB disruption, brain edema, and neuronal loss. Interestingly, treatment with chrysin (especially in the dose of 100 mg/kg) alleviated all the above-mentioned neuropathological changes related to TBI. The results provide evidence that chrysin improves TBI-induced spatial cognitive decline, which may be partly related to the amelioration of hippocampal synaptic dysfunction, alleviation of BBB disruption, reduction of brain edema, and prevention of neuronal loss.

Protective effect of crocin on hemodynamic parameters, electrocardiogram parameters, and oxidative stress in isolated hearts of rats exposed to PM10.

Objectives: Exposures to particulate matter (PM) have been related to increased risk for cardiovascular health effects and can promote cardiac ischemia and oxidative stress. Crocin has strong antioxidant properties and stress-reducing effects. Therefore, this study considered the effect of crocin on cardiovascular parameters in rats exposed to PM10. Materials and Methods: Forty Wistar rats (male, 250-300 g) were grouped as control, receiving normal saline and crocin, receiving PM10, receiving PM10+Crocin. Instillation of PM10 into the trachea was done. Forty-eight hours after exposure to the normal saline or PM, the heart was separated. Hemodynamic and electrophysiological factors were measured. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase activity (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase, were evaluated by kits. Results: The voltage of the QRS complex was significantly reduced and PR and QTc intervals increased in PM10 groups. Hemodynamic parameters before ischemia and in the ischemic-reperfusion stage, in the PM10 group, showed a significant decrease. In the ischemic hearts of the PM10 group, a significant decline in the activity of CAT, SOD, and GPx, and a significant increase in MDA and XOX enzymes activity were observed, and crocin improved all of these factors. Conclusion: Cardiac ischemia causes abnormal hemodynamic factors of the heart, which are exacerbated by PM10 and further reduce the heart's contractile strength. Increased oxidative stress due to PM10 is probably one of the important reasons for these changes. This study suggests that the use of antioxidants such as crocin improves the cardiovascular adverse effects of myocardial ischemia and PM10 exposure.