Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides against Ethanol-Induced Liver and Kidney Toxicity in Experimental Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPS-RS) against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in experimental rats. The study involved an intact control group, LPS-RS group, two groups were given ethanol (3 and 5 g/kg/day) for 28 days, and two other groups (LPS-RS + 3 g/kg ethanol) and (LPS-RS + 5 g/kg ethanol) received a daily dose of LPS-RS (800 µg/kg) before ethanol. Ethanol significantly increased the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the liver tissue and decreased anti-oxidant enzymes. Hepcidin expression was downregulated in the liver, with increased serum levels of ferritin and iron. Prior-administration of LPS-RS alleviated the increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and preserved iron homeostasis markers. In the kidney, administration of ethanol caused significant increase in the expression of NF-κB and the levels of TNF-α and kidney injury markers; whereas LPS-RS + ethanol groups had significantly lower levels of those parameters. In conclusion; this study reports anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and iron homeostasis regulatory effects of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist LPS-RS against ethanol induced toxicity in both the liver and the kidney of experimental rats.

DNA methylation status of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene promoter in peripheral blood of end-stage renal disease patients.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. DNA methylation is a major epigenetic modification of the genome that has the potential to silence gene expression. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene inactivation was recognized as a predisposing factor of hyperhomocysteinemia in renal patients. The current study aimed to determine the methylation status within the MTHFR promoter region in DNA isolated from peripheral blood of ESRD patients and controls and the correlation of this methylation with the clinical and biochemical characteristics in ESRD patients. Ninety-six ESRD patients and 96 healthy ethnically, age and gender matched controls were included within the study. MTHFR promoter methylation was assessed using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of MTHFR methylation was significantly higher in ESRD patients than in controls (P = 0.003), additionally, MTHFR methylation was associated to a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and an increase in both serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Data generated from this study suggest the possible involvement of MTHFR promoter methylation in the pathogenesis of ESRD and support a new dimension of MTHFR inactivation.

Reno- and hepato-protective effect of allopurinol after renal ischemia/reperfusion injury: Crosstalk between xanthine oxidase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma signaling.

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a common cause of acute kidney injury and remote liver damage is an ultimate negative outcome. Current treatments for renal I/R typically involve the use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. Xanthine oxidase (XO) and PPAR-γ contribute to renal I/R-induced oxidative stress; however, the crosstalk between the two pathways remains unexplored. In the present study, we report that XO inhibitor, allopurinol (ALP), protects kidney and liver after renal I/R by PPAR-γ activation. Rats with renal I/R showed reduced kidney and liver functions, increased XO, and decreased PPAR-γ. ALP increased PPAR-γ expression and improved liver and kidney functions. ALP also reduced inflammation and nitrosative stress indicated by reduction in TNF-α, iNOS, nitric oxide (NO), and peroxynitrite formation. Interestingly, rats co-treated with PPAR-γ inhibitor, BADGE, and ALP showed diminished beneficial effect on renal and kidney functions, inflammation, and nitrosative stress. This data suggests that downregulation of PPAR-γ contributes to nitrosative stress and inflammation in renal I/R and the use of ALP reverses this effect by increasing PPAR-γ expression. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential therapeutic value of ALP and suggests targeting XO-PPAR-γ pathway as a promising strategy for preventing renal I/R injury.