Permethrin induced arterial retention of native and oxidized LDL in rats by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress and affecting LDL receptors, and collagen genes.

This study is the first to examine the possible mechanism by which long-term exposure to permethrin (PER) can promote arterial retention of proatherogenic lipid and lipoproteins and related vascular dysfunction in rats. Experimental animals were administered two doses of oral PER, PER-1 (2.5 mg/kg/bw) and PER-2 (5 mg/kg/bw), for 90 consecutive days. The results indicated that both PER-1 and PER-2 increased plasmatic and aortic total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apo B-100, and oxidized LDL together with arterial scavenger LDL receptors (CD36) but markedly reduced plasmatic and hepatic high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and native LDL receptors in aortic and hepatic tissue. The levels of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and reactive oxygen species were significantly higher, and glutathione content as well as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were suppressed in the aorta of the PER-1 and PER-2 groups. The arterial oxidative damage possibly caused by PER was clearly demonstrated by hematoxylin and eosin histological analysis. Moreover, PER treatment aggravated the inflammatory responses through enhancement of the production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2, and interleukin-6) in both plasma and aorta. Furthermore, PER-1 and PER-2 potentiated the dysregulation of the aortic extracellular matrix (ECM) content by increasing mRNA activation of collagens I and III. The abundant histological collagen deposition observed in the media and adventitia of intoxicated rats using Masson's trichrome staining corroborates the observed change in ECM. These data showed that oxidative stress related to PER exposure increases the arterial accumulation of lipoprotein biomarkers, likely by actions on both LDL and CD36 receptors, together with the disruption of the aortic ECM.

Zygophyllum album saponins prevent atherogenic effect induced by deltamethrin via attenuating arterial accumulation of native and oxidized LDL in rats.

The current study aimed to examine, for the first time, the relationship between exposure to deltamethrin (DLM) and atherogenic lipid profile disorders in adult Wistar rats, as well as, to verify the mechanism of the beneficial role of Zygophyllum album leaves extracts (ZALE). The experimental study was assessed using DLM (4 mg/kg b.w) either alone or co administered with ZALE (400 mg/kg b.w) orally for 90 days in rats. RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS was used to identify the bioactive metabolites present in ZALE. Plasmatic and aortic total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), native LDL (LDL-apo B-100) and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) were evaluated using auto-analyzer and a sandwich ELISA, respectively. The protein expressions of LDLR (native LDL receptor) and CD36 (Scavenger receptor class B) were evaluated in aorta or liver with a Western blot. The pathology has been confirmed with lipid stain (Oil Red O). Phytochemicals analysis revealed the presence of fifteen saponins in ZALE. Rats intoxicated with DLM revealed a significant increase in plasmatic and aortic lipid profile (TC, LDL-C, LDL-apo B-100 and ox-LDL), as well as, the concentration of the plasmatic cytokines include TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6, compared to control. Hepatic native LDL and aortic CD36 receptor expression were increased in DLM treated group, however aortic LDL-R does not present any modification, when compared to control. The detected disturbances in lipid parameters were supported by Oil Red O applied. Due to their antioxidant activity, the bioactive compounds in ZALE as powerful agents able to prevent the pro-atherogenic effect observed in DLM-treated animals. These metabolites modulated most of inflammatory markers, prevented accumulation of lipid and lipoprotein biomarkers, regulated the major receptor regulators of hepatic cholesterol metabolism, as well as normalize lipid distribution in liver and aorta tissue.

Bifenthrin exerts proatherogenic effects via arterial accumulation of native and oxidized LDL in rats: the beneficial role of vitamin E and selenium.

The purpose of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of Bifenthrin (Bif) chronic exposure on plasmatic and aortic lipid parameters disturbance and their pro-atherogenic possibility in Wistar rats. The ameliorative role of vitamin E (Vit E) and selenium (Se) were also targeted. Thus, rats were treated by gastric gavage with combination of Vit E (100 mg/kg/bw) and Se (0.25 mg/kg/bw) in alone and co-treated groups for 90 days. Apart from control and Vit E-Se groups, all the groups were subjected to Bif (3 mg/kg, via gavage) toxicity. Results showed that Bif increased markedly plasmatic and aortic total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, native LDL-apoB-100, and oxidized-LDL, compared to the control. Moreover, Bif treatment significantly increased the plasmatic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6. In addition, the densitometric quantification of protein bands showed that the amount of hepatic native LDL-receptor protein decreased significantly in the intoxicated rats compared to the control group. The expression of arterial LDL receptors (LDLRs) and scavenger receptors (CD36) was amplified owing to Bif toxicity. This harmful effect was confirmed by histological study using Oil-Red-O staining. Owing to their antioxidant capacities, Vit E and Se have maintained all the changes in plasma and aorta lipids and prevented the pro-atherogenic effect observed in Bif-treated animals.

Protective effects of Zygophyllum album extract against deltamethrin-induced hyperglycemia and hepato-pancreatic disorders in rats.

The current study was designed to investigate the possible mechanism involved in hyperglycemia induced by chronic exposure to deltamethrin (DLM) in rat and to assess whether this damage is amenable to modulation by Zygophyllum album. DLM, a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, was administrated at a dose of 4 mg/kg body mass, during 60 days. Compared with control, DLM showed a significant increase of blood glucose (p ≤ 0.01) and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (p ≤ 0.01) and a clear decrease (p ≤ 0.01) of insulin and total hemoglobin levels. In addition, hepatic glycogen content and the activity of hexokinase decreased (p ≤ 0.01), whereas the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen phosphorylase were significantly increased (p ≤ 0.01). Moreover, pancreatic lipid peroxidation (TBARS level) was higher (p ≤ 0.01) and oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH) were altered owing to DLM toxicity. However, Z. album, when combined with DLM, significantly ameliorated almost all the hepato-pancreatic disorders induced by DLM alone. Furthermore, Z. album supplement was found to be effective in preserving the normal histological appearance of hepatic and pancreatic tissue. In conclusion, this study suggested that, owing to its antioxidant effects, methanolic extract of Z. album (MEZAL) can potentially prevent the hyperglycemia observed in DLM-treated group.

Pleiotropic protective roles of melatonin against aluminium-induced toxicity in rats.

This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of melatonin on aluminium-induced toxicity in a rat model using a set of biochemical, inflammatory, oxidant, lipid profile criteria and hepatic integrity (verified by hematoxylin-eosin staining). The results indicated that AlCl3 administration during 60 days (100 mg/kg b.w.) significantly increased the activities of transaminases AST and ALT by 46% (p < 0.001) and 21% (p < 0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by 30% (p < 0.001), the levels of bilirubin by 85% (p < 0.001), total cholesterol by 115% (p < 0.001), triglycerides by 130% (p < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol by 413% (p < 0.001), oxidized LDL (oxLDL) by 51% (p < 0.01) and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) by 63% (p < 0.001), as compared to controls. The inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6) were significantly increased (p < 0.001), associated to higher lipid peroxidation (TBARS) level. Also, both plasma HDL-cholesterol level and hepatic LDL receptors (p < 0.01) expression and antioxidant protein (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities are decreased. Those physiological disturbances were, however, noted to alleviate following the co-administration of melatonin (10 mg/kg b.w.). Overall, the present study is the first to provide evidence on the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-lipidic and, hence, therapeutic effects of melatonin with regard to the control and prevention of aluminium-intoxication.

Hypercholesterolemic diet induces vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis in sympathectomized rats via intrinsic pathway.

In this study, we intend to investigate the role of hypercholesterolemic diet, a high risk factor for atherosclerosis, on vascular cell apoptosis in rats that have been previously sympathectomized. Thus, newborn male Wistar rats received injections of guanethidine for sympathectomy. Sham received injections of vehicle. The two groups were fed 1% cholesterol diet for 3months. Sympathectomy alone group was also exploited. Apoptosis in abdominal aortic tissue was identified by TUNEL method and conventional agarose gel electrophoresis to detect specific DNA fragmentation. Caspases 3 and 9, Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome c were examined by immunoblotting. Oil Red O staining was used to reveal lipid in the arterial wall. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages were identified by immunostaining for α-smooth muscle actin and rat macrophage marker (ED1), respectively. The efficacy of sympathectomy was evaluated by analysis of perivascular sympathetic fibers. Our study showed that hypercholesterolemic diet, when performed in rats with neonatal sympathectomy, 1) increased aortic TUNEL-positive cells compared to sham and sympathectomy alone groups, 2) illustrated a typical apoptotic DNA ladder on agarose gel electrophoresis, 3) induced Bax translocation from cytosol to mitochondria, 4) enhanced cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytosol, 5) increased expression of active caspases 3 and 9, and 6) decreased Bcl-2 expression. VSMCs are identified as the major cell type exhibiting apoptosis in this model. Taken together, it can be concluded that hypercholesterolemic diet, when performed in rats with neonatal sympathectomy, induces vascular cell apoptosis in an intrinsic pathway.

Physiological regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression in rat cardiovascular tissues by sympathetic nervous system and angiotensin II.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines regulation by sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and angiotensin II (ANG II) was widely described in cardiovascular system, but the role of such neuro-humoral interaction needs further investigation in this context. We tested SNS-ANG II interaction on IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in left ventricle and aorta from normotensive rats by sympathectomy with guanethidine and blockade of the ANG II AT1 receptors (AT1R) antagonist with losartan. mRNA synthesis of IL-6 and TNF-α were performed by Q-RT-PCR. In the left ventricle, IL-6 mRNA increased by 63% (p < 0.01) after sympathectomy, still unchanged after losartan treatment and decreased by 38% (p < 0.05) after combined treatment. TNF-α mRNA decreased by 44% (p < 0.01), only after combined treatment. In the aorta, IL-6 mRNA increased equally by 65% (p < 0.05) after sympathectomy or losartan treatment. TNF-α mRNA decreased by 28, 41, and 42% (p < 0.05) after sympathectomy, losartan and combined treatments, respectively. Our data suggest that ANG II stimulates directly (via AT1R) and indirectly (via SNS) IL-6 mRNA synthesis in left ventricle and aorta and TNF-α mRNA in left ventricle. ANG II seems unable to influence directly TNF-α mRNA synthesis in the aorta but can stimulate this cytokine via SNS. The results are relevant to prevent or reduce proinflammatory cytokines overexpression seen in cardiovascular diseases.

Regulation of aortic extracellular matrix synthesis via noradrenergic system and angiotensin II in juvenile rats.

CONTEXT: Extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis regulation by sympathetic nervous system (SNS) or angiotensin II (ANG II) was widely reported, but interaction between the two systems on ECM synthesis needs further investigation. OBJECTIVE: We tested implication of SNS and ANG II on ECM synthesis in juvenile rat aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sympathectomy with guanethidine (50 mg/kg, subcutaneous) and blockade of the ANG II AT1 receptors (AT1R) blocker with losartan (20 mg/kg/day in drinking water) were performed alone or in combination in rats. mRNA and protein synthesis of collagen and elastin were examined by Q-RT-PCR and immunoblotting. RESULTS: Collagen type I and III mRNA were increased respectively by 62 and 43% after sympathectomy and decreased respectively by 31 and 60% after AT1R blockade. Combined treatment increased collagen type III by 36% but not collagen type I. The same tendency of collagen expression was observed at mRNA and protein levels after the three treatments. mRNA and protein level of elastin was decreased respectively by 63 and 39% and increased by 158 and 15% after losartan treatment. Combined treatment abrogates changes induced by single treatments. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The two systems act as antagonists on ECM expression in the aorta and combined inhibition of the two systems prevents imbalance of mRNA and protein level of collagen I and elastin induced by single treatment. Combined inhibition of the two systems prevents deposit or excessive reduction of ECM and can more prevent cardiovascular disorders.

Physiological regulation of MMPs and tPA/PAI in the arterial wall of rats by noradrenergic tone and angiotensin II.

The interactions between the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and angiotensin II (ANG II), and their direct effects in vitro on the enzymes involved in vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, were examined. Rats were treated with guanethidine, losartan or the combined treatments. mRNA, protein and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and mRNA of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were quantified in abdominal aorta (AA) and femoral artery (FA). Norepinephrine (NE) or ANG II with adrenergic (ß, α1 and α2) or losartan antagonists was tested for MMP mRNA response in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Combined treatment enhances the inhibition of MMP-2 mRNA and protein level induced by simple treatment in AA. However MMP-9 in AA and MMP mRNA in FA were reduced in the same order by treatments. MMP activities were not affected by treatments. The t-PA/PAI-1 ratio, which reflects the fibrinolytic balance, remained higher after treatments. In cultured VSMCs, NE induced stimulation of MMP mRNA via α2 and ß adrenergic receptors and MMP-2 activity via ß adrenergic receptors, while ANG II-induced stimulation was abrogated by losartan. Overall, there is a synergic inhibition of both systems on the level of MMP-2 in AA.

Chemical sympathectomy induces arterial accumulation of native and oxidized LDL in hypercholesterolemic rats.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of sympathectomy on plasmatic and arterial native and oxLDL levels, as well as arterial LDL receptors (LDLR) and scavenger receptors in hypercholesterolemic rats, which are normally protected against atherosclerosis. Neonatal Wistar rats received subcutaneous injections of either guanethidine for sympathectomy (Gua+HC) or vehicle (HC), then were fed 1% cholesterol for three months. Intact normocholesterolemic rats were used as control of the HC group. Total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol were evaluated in the plasma and the abdominal aorta by an auto-analyzer. Plasmatic and aortic oxLDL and native LDL-apo B100 were assessed by a sandwich ELISA. Aortic and hepatic native LDLR and aortic scavenger receptors (CD36 and SR-A) were quantified at mRNA and protein levels by real time PCR and western immunoblot. The effect of hypercholesterolemia was limited to an increase in plasmatic TC and LDL-cholesterol and a decrease in aortic apoB100 and aortic and hepatic LDLR. Hypercholesterolemia and sympathectomy in combination increased markedly plasmatic and aortic TC, LDL-cholesterol, apo B100 and oxLDL together with aortic scavenger receptors, but reduced markedly aortic and hepatic LDLR. Sympathectomy broke down the rat's protection against hypercholesterolemia by promoting accumulation of native and oxLDL in the aorta via scavenger receptors.

Physiological regulation of extracellular matrix collagen and elastin in the arterial wall of rats by noradrenergic tone and angiotensin II.

The interactions between the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and angiotensin II (ANG II) on vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis were determined in rats. The mRNA and protein content of collagen I, collagen III and elastin in the abdominal aorta (AA) and femoral artery (FA) was investigated in Wistar-Kyoto rats treated for 5 weeks with guanethidine, a sympathoplegic, losartan, an ANG II AT1 receptor (AT1R) blocker, or both. The effects of noradrenaline (NE) and ANG II on collagen III and elastin mRNA, and the receptor involved, were tested in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro. Guanethidine increased collagen types I and III and decreased elastin, while losartan had an opposite effect, although without effect on collagen III. The combination of treatments abrogated changes induced by simple treatment with collagen I and elastin, but increased collagen III mRNA in AA and not in FA. NE stimulated collagen III mRNA via ß receptors and elastin via α1 and α2 receptors. ANG II stimulated collagen III but inhibited elastin mRNA via AT1R. Overall, SNS and ANG II exert opposite and antagonistic effects on major components of ECM in the vascular wall. This may be of relevance for the choice of a therapeutic strategy in vascular diseases.

Interaction between sympathetic nervous system and renin angiotensin system on MMPs expression in juvenile rat aorta.

The aim of our present study is to investigate the interaction between angiotensin II (ANG II) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) on matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and activity in juvenile rat aorta under normal conditions. Sympathectomy with guanethidine and blockade of the ANG II receptors (AT1R) by losartan were performed alone or in combination on new-born rats. mRNA, protein expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined by Q-RT-PCR, immunoblotting and zymography, respectively. MMP-2 mRNA and protein amount were decreased after sympathectomy or AT1R blockade and an additive effect was observed after combined treatment. However, MMP-9 expression was reduced to the same level in the three treated groups. There were some detectable gelatinolytic activity of the MMPs in both control and treated rats. We concluded that ANG II stimulates directly and indirectly (via sympathostimulator pathway) the MMP-2 expression but seems unable to affect MMP-9 expression through direct pathway. Combined inhibition of SNS and ANG II were more efficient than a single inhibition in reducing MMP amounts in rat vessels.

The profile of the extracellular matrix changes in the aorta after sympathectomy in the hypercholesterolemic rats.

We previously showed that sympathectomy induces thickened intima and decreases the expression of cytoskeletal proteins associated with a differentiated smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype in hypercholesterolemic rats. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of sympathectomy on various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the aorta from these animals, since the state of SMC differentiation depends on the nature of ECM components. Collagen types I and III, previously reported to be associated with SMC dedifferentiation, and collagen VI, elastin, laminin and elastin-laminin receptor (E/L-R), previously reported to be associated with SMC differentiation, were analyzed by western immunoblot and confocal microscopy in abdominal aortae from sham rats and hypercholesterolemic rats sympathectomized with guanethidine. Both western immunoblot and immunohistological analysis showed an increase in collagens I and III (more for collagen I), with abundant labeling in the media, adventitia and thickened intima in sympathectomized aortae. Collagen IV labeling was decreased in the media and adventitia and was weak in the thickened intima in sympathectomised aortae. The E/L-R increased and was abundantly labeled in the media and weakly in the thickened intima in sympathectomized aortae. Elastin and laminin decreased and appeared less labeled in the media in the sympathectomised aortae. In the thickened intima, laminin was slightly labeled while elastin was not obviously labeled. These data show that sympathectomy favors the ECM features reported in association with a dedifferentiated/immature SMC phenotype and intimal thickening, probably by actions on both SMCs and fibroblasts.

Influence of antagonist sensory and sympathetic nerves on smooth muscle cell differentiation in hypercholesterolemic rat.

The effect of sympathectomy and sensory denervation on vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation was investigated in hypercholesterolemic rats. Newborn rats received injections of guanethidine, capsaicin or both for denervations. Shams received injections of vehicles. The four groups were fed 1% cholesterol diet for 3 months. Intact normocholesterolemic rats were also exploited. Serum total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured. Lipid presence in the arterial wall was shown by Red-Oil-O staining. Catecholamine- and CGRP-containing fibres, vimentin and the adult SMC markers alpha-SMC-actin, desmin and h-caldesmon were analysed in abdominal aorta by western blot and confocal microscope. The sympathetic (catecholamine) fibres and SBP increased after sensory denervation while the sensory (CGRP) fibres increased and SBP decreased after sympathectomy. SBP was not changed after double denervation. Total cholesterol increased in sham and rose further after sympathectomy. Vimentin and the three adult SMC markers were not influenced by hypercholesterolemia. However, in the sympathectomized aorta, vimentin increased, desmin did not change, whereas alpha-SMC-actin and h-caldesmon decreased. In the sensory-denervated aorta, vimentin decreased, desmin increased, alpha-SMC-actin did not change and h-caldesmon decreased but less than in sympathectomized aorta. In the doubly denervated aorta, vimentin did not change and the three adult SMC markers decreased, although less than in sympathectomized aorta for alpha-SMC-actin and h-caldesmon. Thickened intima was identified by Red-Oil-O staining in the sympathectomized and (less remarkably) doubly denervated aortas containing SMCs not fully dedifferentiated. Our findings suggest that sympathectomy induces intimal thickening and favours SMC dedifferentiation, whereas sensory denervation favours SMC differentiation.

Differential control of collagen synthesis by the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems in the rat left ventricle.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis of the indirect (via the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)) and direct (via AT1 receptors) contributions of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on the synthesis of collagen types I and III in the left ventricle (LV) in vivo. Sympathectomy and blockade of the Ang II receptor AT1 were performed alone or in combination in normotensive rats. The mRNA and protein synthesis of collagen types I and III were examined by Q-RT-PCR and immunoblotting in the LV. Collagen types I and III mRNA were decreased respectively by 53% and 22% after sympathectomy and only collagen type I mRNA was increased by 52% after AT1 receptor blockade. mRNA was not changed for collagen type I but was decreased by 25% for collagen type III after double treatment. Only collagen protein type III was decreased after sympathectomy by 12%, but collagen proteins were increased respectively for types I and III by 145% and 52% after AT1 receptor blockade and by 45% and 60% after double treatment. Deducted interpretations from our experimental approach suggest that Ang II stimulates indirectly (via SNS) and inhibits directly (via AT1 receptors) the collagen type I at transcriptional and protein levels. For collagen type III, it stimulates indirectly the transcription and inhibited directly the protein level. Therefore, the Ang II regulates collagen synthesis differently through indirect and direct pathways.

Differential control of MMP and t-PA/PAI-1 expressions by sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems in rat left ventricle.

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II (Ang II) has both direct (via AT1 receptors) and indirect (via sympathostimulator pathway) actions on the synthesis and activity of the enzymes involved in the extracellular matrix degradation in vivo. For this purpose, sympathectomy and blockade of the Ang II receptor AT1 were performed alone or in combination in normotensive rats. The mRNA of the plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), the mRNA, protein and activity of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined by Q-RT-PCR, immunoblotting and zymographic methods in the left ventricle. t-PA and PAI-1 mRNA were decreased after sympathectomy and remained unchanged after AT1 receptors blockade. mRNA was increased for t-PA and decreased by similar degree for PAI-1 after double treatment. MMPs mRNA and protein levels were decreased either after sympathectomy or AT1 receptors blockade and an additive effect was acquired after double treatment. MMPs activity was decreased by similar degree in the three treated groups. Deducted interpretations from our experimental approach suggest that Ang II inhibits directly (via AT1 receptors) and indirectly (via sympathostimulator pathway) t-PA mRNA synthesis. It seems unable to influence directly PAI-1 mRNA, but stimulates indirectly PAI-1 mRNA synthesis. Ang II stimulates directly (via AT1 receptors) and indirectly (via sympathostimulator pathway) MMPs synthesis at both transcriptional and protein levels. The enzymatic activity of MMPs does not seem to be influenced directly by Ang II but it could be stimulated indirectly (via sympathostimulator pathway).