Nigella sativa oil restores hormonal levels, and endocrine signals among thyroid, ovarian, and uterine tissues of female Wistar rats following sodium fluoride toxicity.

The current study aimed to explore the possible prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Nigella sativa L. oil (NSO) against disruption of endocrine signals and injuries in the thyroid gland, ovary, and uterine tissues induced by sodium fluoride (NaF). Twenty-eight mature female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (n = 7/group) as follows: control group; NaF group, orally received NaF (20 mg/kg b.wt.) daily; NSO/NaF, orally received NSO (300 mg/kg b.wt.) two weeks before being given NaF and continued throughout the experiment; and NSO+NaF group orally received NSO concurrently with NaF. Our results indicated that NSO restored hormonal balance and suppressed oxidative damage and inflammation. Moreover, the levels of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase, estrogen (E2), progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were elevated, while prostaglandins F2-α and cortisol levels were decreased in NSO treated groups compared to NaF-intoxicated rats. As well, NSO significantly boosted levels of antioxidant molecules, and lowered lipid peroxidation of examined tissues, unlike NaF-treated group. NSO also up-regulated antioxidant enzymes, anti-apoptotic protein, zona pellucida sperm-binding protein, bone morphogenetic protein, and thyroid stimulating hormone, conversely down-regulated inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic proteins, estrogen receptor-α, estrogen receptor-ß, and thyroid stimulating hormone receptors compared to NaF-intoxicated group. Additionally, NSO ameliorated tissue damage of the thyroid gland, ovary, and uterus induced by NaF. -Overall, the prophylactic group (NSO/NaF) performed better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities than the treated group almost in all examined tissues, which is reflected by the improvement in the structure of the thyroid, ovarian, and uterine tissues.

Modulatory mechanisms of copperII-albumin complex toward N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced neurotoxicity in mice via regulating oxidative damage, inflammatory, and apoptotic signaling pathways.

N-nitrosodiethylamine (ND) is an extremely toxic unavoidable environmental contaminant. CopperII-albumin (CuAB) complex, a newly developed Cu complex, showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Hereby, we explored the plausible neuroprotective role of CuAB complex toward ND-evoked neurotoxicity in mice. Twenty-four male mice were sorted into 4 groups (6 mice each). Control group, mice were administered oral distilled water; and CuAB group, mice received CuAB complex at a dose of 817 µg/kg orally, three times weekly. In ND group, ND was given intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg body weight, once weekly for 6 w). CuAB+ND group, mice were administered a combination of CuAB and ND. The brain was quickly extracted upon completion of the experimental protocol for the evaluation of the oxidative/antioxidative markers, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological examination. Oxidative stress was induced after ND exposure indicated by a reduction in GSH and SOD1 level, with increased MDA level. In addition, decreased expression of SOD1 proteins, Nrf2, and 5-HT mRNA expression levels were noticed. An apoptotic cascade has also been elicited, evidenced by overexpression of Cyt c, Cl. Casp 3. In addition, increased regulation of proinflammatory genes (TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, Casp1, and NF-κB (p65/p50); besides, increment of protein expression of P-IKBα and reduced expression of IKBα. Pretreatment with CuAB complex significantly ameliorated ND neuronal damage. Our results recommend CuAB complex supplementation because it exerts neuroprotective effects against ND-induced toxicity.

Arthrospira platensis Nanoparticles Mitigate Aging-Related Oxidative Injured Brain Induced by D-galactose in Rats Through Antioxidants, Anti-Inflammatory, and MAPK Pathways.

Background: Loss of normal function is an inevitable effect of aging. Several factors contribute to the aging process, including cellular senescence and oxidative stress. Methods: We investigate how Arthrospira platensis Nanoparticles (NSP) protect against aging injury induced by d-galactose (D-gal) in the rat. So, we subcutaneously (S/C) injected D-gal at 200 mg/kg BW to see if Arthrospira platensis Nanoparticles (NSP) might protect against the oxidative changes generated by D-gal. NSP (0.5 mg/kg body weight once daily by gastric gavage) was given to all groups apart from the control and D-gal groups. The d-gal + NSP group was supplemented with 200 mg of D-gal per kg BW once a day and NSP 0.5 mg/kg BW given orally for 45 days. Biochemical, mRNA expression, and histological investigations of brain tissues were used to evaluate the oxidative alterations caused by d-gal and the protective role of NSP. Results: Our data demonstrated that d-gal was causing significant reductions in relative brain and body weight with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and redox oxygen species (ROS) levels and increases in serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme BB (CPK-BB) with marked decreases in the level of antioxidant enzyme activity in the brain and acetylcholinesterase activity augmented with a phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX) level increased. The D-gal group had considerably higher phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (P38MAPK) and C-Jun N-terminal (JNK) kinases. The d-gal administration stimulates the apoptotic gene expression by downregulating the brain superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The NSP administration saved these parameters in the direction of the control. The brain histopathologic and immunohistochemistry analysis findings support our findings on NSP's protective role. Conclusion: The NSP may be a promising natural protective compound that can prevent aging and preserve health.

Selenium-enriched yeast modulates the metal bioaccumulation, oxidant status, and inflammation in copper-stressed broiler chickens.

Copper (Cu) could be seriously hazardous when present at excessive levels, despite its vital contribution to various cellular processes. Selenium-enriched yeast (SeY) was reported to improve the health and metabolic status in broiler chicken. Hence, our study was endeavored to illustrate the mitigating efficacy of SeY on Cu-induced hepatic and renal damage. Cobb chicks aged 1 day were allocated into four experimental groups and offered a basal diet, SeY (0.5 mg/kg), CuSO4 (300 mg/kg), or SeY plus CuSO4 in their diets for 42 days. Our results revealed that SeY supplement antagonized significantly the Cu accumulation in livers and kidneys of exposed birds. Marked declines were also detected in the AST, ALT, urea, and creatinine levels, besides marked increases in total protein, glycerides, and cholesterol in the SeY-supplemented group. Moreover, enhancement of cellular antioxidant biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, CAT, GPx, and GSH) along with lowered MDA contents were achieved by SeY in hepatic and renal tissues. Further, SeY exerted a noteworthy anti-inflammatory action as indicated by decreased inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and NO levels in both organs. Noticeable histopathological alterations of both organs further validated the changes in the markers mentioned above. To sum up, our findings indicate that SeY can be considered a potential feed supplement for alleviating Cu-induced hepatic and renal damage in broilers, possibly via activation of antioxidant molecules and lessening the inflammatory stress.

Dietary Vitamin B Complex: Orchestration in Human Nutrition throughout Life with Sex Differences.

The importance of B complex vitamins starts early in the human life cycle and continues across its different stages. At the same time, numerous reports have emphasized the critical role of adequate B complex intake. Most studies examined such issues concerning a specific vitamin B or life stage, with the majority reporting the effect of either excess or deficiency. Deep insight into the orchestration of the eight different B vitamins requirements is reviewed across the human life cycle, beginning from fertility and pregnancy and reaching adulthood and senility, emphasizing interactions among them and underlying action mechanisms. The effect of sex is also reviewed for each vitamin at each life stage to highlight the different daily requirements and/or outcomes. Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid are crucial for maternal and fetal health. During infancy and childhood, B vitamins are integrated with physical and psychological development that have a pivotal impact on one's overall health in adolescence and adulthood. A higher intake of B vitamins in the elderly is also associated with preventing some aging problems, especially those related to inflammation. All supplementation should be carefully monitored to avoid toxicity and hypervitaminosis. More research should be invested in studying each vitamin individually concerning nutritional disparities in each life stage, with extensive attention paid to cultural differences and lifestyles.

Protective potential of royal jelly against hydroxyurea -induced hepatic injury in rats via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis properties.

Hydroxyurea (HDU) is a widely used medication for various malignancies, thalassemia, and sickle cell anemia with reported side effects. The current study investigated HDU- induced hepatic injury and the protective potential of the royal jelly (RJ) against this hepatotoxic effect in the light of hepatic oxidative/ antioxidative status, pro-inflammatory cytokine, apoptosis signaling pathway, and histopathology. Sixty albino rats were used (n = 10/group) for 60 days: control, RJ (100 mg/kg body weight, orally), HDU (225 mg/kg body weight, orally), 2HDU (450 mg/kg body weight, orally), and HDU + RJ groups. HDU-treated rats showed significant elevation of liver function tests as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (oxidative biomarkers) and significant decreased hepatic antioxidant molecules (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), compared to a control group, that more pronounced in the high dose of HDU. In addition, HDU induced significant upregulation of TNF-α and the Caspase-3 apoptotic pathway. Moreover, the liver of HDU treated groups showed various hepatic lesions from mild to severe necrotic changes related to the HDU dose. However, administration of RJ with HDU improved liver function tests, liver histology, and hepatic oxidative/antioxidative status concerning HDU groups. Furthermore, oral RJ administration with HDU significantly lessens the immune-expression area % of TNF-α and Caspase-3. Thus, the royal jelly has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties against HDU- induced hepatic injury and could be, therefore, used as adjuvant therapy in patients with long-term HDU medication.

Pea peels as a value-added food ingredient for snack crackers and dry soup.

The food industry produces large quantities of waste, which is available in bulk at zero cost. This study aimed to investigate a new method to maximize the protein intake from pea peels and its further utilization as a value-added food ingredient to produce healthy snack crackers and dry soup. Dehydrated green curd of pea peel (DGCPp) with high protein content (35%) was prepared and incorporated into snack cracker and instant soup powder. Wheat flour was substituted with DGCPp to prepare crackers at three substitution levels (5, 10, and 15%) compared to the cracker control sample (100% wheat flour). Increasing the level of this substitution improved the nutritional value of crackers, with highest protein content was in DGCPp crackers (15%). Crackers also had higher contents of mineral and essential amino acids. The physicochemical and sensorial properties of soup samples were significantly influenced by the addition of DGCPp. Higher rehydration value and mineral content (Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn) were observed in DGCPp soup samples compared to the control sample. Soup samples of all proportions were more acceptable by all the panelists compared with the control sample. With these findings, it can be concluded that DGCPp can be utilized in a variety of food products (such as crackers and soups) with higher nutritive values.