Comparative evaluation of gold nanoparticles and Alum as immune enhancers against rabies vaccine and related immune reactivity, physiological, and histopathological alterations: in vivo study.

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the immune-enhancing potential of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to Alum against rabies vaccine and the related immunological, physiological, and histopathological effects. Materials and Methods: Alum and AuNPs sole and in combination with rabies vaccine were used at 0.35 mg/mL and 40 nM/mL, respectively. Rats used were categorized into six groups (20/each): control rats, rabies vaccine, aluminum phosphate gel, rabies vaccine adsorbed to Alum, AuNPs, and rabies vaccine adjuvant AuNPs. Results: Liver and kidney functions were in the normal range after AuNPs and Alum adjuvanted vaccine compared to control. Interleukin-6 and interferon-γ levels were significantly increased in groups immunized with Alum and AuNPs adjuvanted vaccine, the peak level was in the case of AuNP adjuvanted vaccine on the 14th day. Ninety days post-vaccination, total immunoglobulin G (IgG) against adjuvanted rabies vaccine showed a significantly elevated anti-rabies IgG with AuNPs and Alum adsorbed vaccine compared with unadjuvanted one. The total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly increased post-adjuvanted AuNPs adjuvanted vaccine vaccination than in Alum adsorbed vaccine, while MDA was significantly decreased. The histopathological examination revealed detectable alterations post-AuNPs and Alum adjuvanted vaccine immunization compared with liver and kidney profiles post-administration of unadjuvanted and non-immunized groups, meanwhile, splenic tissue revealed hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles indicating increased immune reactivity. Conclusion: The AuNPs are promising enhancers of the immune response as Alum, and the undesirable effects of AuNPs could be managed by using suitable sizes, shapes, and concentrations.

Montelukast ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity via modulation of p-glycoprotein and inhibition of ROS-mediated TNF-α/NF-κB pathways.

Doxorubicin (DOX) cardiotoxicity remains an obstacle to clinical use. The current study examined the possible role of montelukast (ML), which is a cysteinyl leukotrienes receptor antagonist against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The control group, ML group, DOX-challenged group, and DOX/ML-treated groups received ML10 and 20 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Cardiac enzymes; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) isoenzymes in serum were measured. Cardiac oxidative/antioxidative parameters were also measured. Cardiac samples were examined for histological images and immunohistochemical expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/survivin. Quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß/caspase-3 mRNA. The levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), nuclear factor-kappa B , and reactive oxygen species were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. DOX increased serum cardiac enzymes along with oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers. Both doses of ML significantly ameliorated cardiac enzymes and attenuated all oxidative stress parameters with the enhancement of P-gp activity. It was concluded that ML may be a valuable cardioprotective adjuvant during DOX use.

Rupatadine, a dual antagonist of histamine and platelet-activating factor (PAF), attenuates experimentally induced diabetic nephropathy in rats.

The role of histamine and platelet activating factor (PAF) as involved mediators in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications, in particular diabetic nephropathy (DN), has become a new focus of concern. Accordingly, the present study designed to explore the effect of rupatadine (RUP), a dual antagonist of histamine (H1) and PAF, on the progression of experimentally induced DN in rats. Rats were divided into five groups: control, RUP alone, streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic model, STZ/RUP (3 mg/kg/day), and STZ/RUP (6 mg/kg/day). Treatment has continued for 4 weeks after diabetes confirmation. At the end of the study, serum was collected for measurement of glucose, insulin, urea, creatinine, histamine, and PAF. Renal tissue homogenates were prepared for measuring oxidative stress indices, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), cystatin C, and p21. Moreover, immunohistochemical expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and p53 along with histological pictures was also conducted. Antagonizing H1 and PAF receptors by RUP ameliorated the experimentally induced DN as evident by decreasing all serum parameters augmented by STZ together with improvement of the histopathological picture. RUP administration also improved oxidative-antioxidative agents with reduction in the anti-inflammatory marker, TNF-α. Additionally, the immunohistochemical expression of the fibrosis marker; TGF-ß1, was also decreased. STZ-induced DN showed a p21/p53-dependent induction of premature senescence and RUP administration decreased the expression of p21 and p53 levels in injured renal tissue. RUP represents a novel promising drug to prevent DN complicated diabetes probably via its inhibitory effect on H1 and PAF receptors. The renal protection was also related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles and PAF-facilitated senescence effect via p21/p53 signaling.

Nephroprotective effect of cilostazol and verapamil against thioacetamide-induced toxicity in rats may involve Nrf2/HO-1/NQO-1 signaling pathway.

Cilostazol and verapamil are widely used cardiovascular drugs, explored a beneficial effect on different organs-induced toxicities. We investigated whether the Nrf2 (nuclear erythroid factor 2) and its downstream pathway are involved in the protective role of these drugs against TAA-induced renal damage. Renal biomarkers (creatinine and urea) and histopathology were observed. Antioxidant and oxidant indicators; superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total nitrite (NO) were also measured. Antioxidant markers like; Nrf2/hemoxegenase-1 (HO-1) and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) expressions were determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Cilostazol and verapamil pretreatment improved serum creatinine and urea elevation. Examined drugs also have an ameliorative effect on TAA-induced elevation in MDA and NO activities and antioxidant enzymes; SOD and GSH. Additionally, the pretreated drugs significantly up-regulated Nrf2/HO-1/NQO-1 expression levels. In conclusion, cilostazol and verapamil exerted their protective effects partially via a Nrf2/HO-1/NQO-1 activation pathway with anti-oxidant roles.