Alpha-lipoic acid protects against renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats

1. Oxygen free radicals are important components involved in the pathophysiological processes observed during ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R). The present study was designed to assess the possible protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on renal I/R injury. 2. Wistar albino rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and subjected to 45 min renal pedicle occlusion followed by 24 h reperfusion. Saline or ALA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 15 min prior to ischaemia and immediately before the reperfusion period. At the end of 24 h, rats were decapitated and trunk blood was collected. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured in serum samples, whereas tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and total anti-oxidant capacity (AOC) were assayed in plasma samples. 3. Kidney samples were taken for the determination of tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The formation of reactive oxygen species in renal tissue samples was monitored using a chemiluminescence (CL) technique with luminol and lucigenin probes. Oxidant-induced tissue fibrosis was determined by tissue collagen content and the extent of tissue injury was analysed microscopically. 4. Ischaemia-reperfusion caused a significant increases in blood creatinine, BUN, LDH, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and 8-OHdG, whereas AOC was decreased. In kidney samples from the I/R group, MDA, MPO, collagen and CL levels were found to be increased significantly; however, glutathione levels and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity were decreased. Conversely, ALA treatment reversed all these biochemical indices, as well as histopathological alterations induced by I/R. 5. In conclusion, these data suggest that ALA reverses I/R-induced oxidant responses and improves microscopic damage and renal function. Thus, it seems likely that ALA protects kidney tissues by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration, balancing the oxidant-anti-oxidant status and regulating the generation of inflammatory mediators.     

Mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion-induced intestinal and vascular damage: effect of stobadine

This study examined the effects of the pyridoindole compound stobadine on intestinal and vascular injury following mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 60 min, followed by 30 min reperfusion. To characterize gut impairment, some parameters of intestinal damage and biochemical variables, such as GSH content, activity of a lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-glucuronidase and activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, were determined. Vascular I/R-induced damage was evaluated as changes in acetylcholine evoked relaxation of mesenteric artery rings under isometric conditions. A method of amplified chemiluminescence (CL) was used to detect production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Following I/R, pronounced intestinal injury of various intensities was observed, with maximal changes occurring in the terminal ileum. The effect of I/R was expressed mainly as increased vascular permeability, with protein leakage and subsequent hemorrhagic injury of the intestine as well as impaired endothelium-dependent SMA relaxation. Vessel dysfunction was manifested by a decrease of the maximal relaxation response to acetylcholine. An increase of CL, indicative of increased ROS production, was observed in both intestinal and vascular tissue. A novel antioxidant, stobadine, was found to reduce the increased vascular permeability and the extent of small intestine injury caused by I/R, to improve biochemical alterations accompanying I/R, to protect endothelial-dependent relaxation of mesenteric arteries, and to attenuate the CL response. The observed beneficial effect of stobadine indicates its possible application in the preventive and/or therapeutic approach to I/R-induced pathologies.     

Ginkgo biloba extract ameliorates ischemia reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats.

There is increasing evidence to suggest that reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) play a role in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) in the kidney. This study was designed to determine the possible protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Wistar albino rats were unilaterally nephrectomized, and 15 days later they were subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) (50 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) or saline was administered twice, 15 min prior to ischemia and immediately before the reperfusion period. At the end of the treatment period, all rats were decapitated. Kidney samples were taken for histological examination or determination of the renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and collagen content. Production of reactive oxidants was monitored by chemiluminescence (CL) assay. Creatinine and urea concentrations in blood were measured for the evaluation of renal function. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also assayed in serum samples. Ischemia/reperfusion caused a significant decrease in GSH level, which was accompanied with significant increases in MDA level, MPO activity and collagen content of kidney tissues. Similarly, serum BUN and creatinine levels, as well as LDH and TNF-alpha, were elevated in the I/R group as compared to control group. On the other hand, EGb treatment reversed all these biochemical indices, as well as histopathological alterations, which were induced by I/R. The findings imply that ROMs play a causal role in I/R-induced renal injury and EGb exerts renoprotective effects probably by the radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.     

Protective effect of novel pyridoindole derivatives on ischemia/reperfusion injury of the isolated rat heart

Generation of reactive oxygen species is a major, well-known cause of heart injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion. This injury is manifested through myocardial stunning, reperfusion and lethal reperfusion injury of cardiocytes. The pyridoindole stobadine has been shown to exhibit significant antioxidant, free-radical scavenging and hypoxic-tissue-protecting properties. The present study examined the effects of stobadine and two novel derivatives, SMe1 and SMe1EC2, which exhibit improved pharmacodynamic and toxicity profiles, on the functional properties and reperfusion dysrhythmias of the isolated rat heart in ischemia-reperfusion conditions. All experiments were performed on isolated Langendorff-perfused hearts isolated from 3-month-old male Wistar rats. After 15 min of stabilization, the hearts were subjected to a 30-minute period of global no-flow ischemia, followed by a 30-minute reperfusion period. Stobadine, SMe1 and SMe1EC2 were applied at a concentration of 1 x 10(-5) 10 min before the onset of ischemia, and during reperfusion through the perfusion medium. As compared to the untreated group, addition of SMe1EC2 during reperfusion significantly increased left ventricular developed pressure, decreased pathologically elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and enhanced recovery of the stunned myocardium after ischemia. Both SMe1 and stobadine failed to influence these parameters; however, all derivatives tested inhibited serious life-threatening reperfusion dysrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Our findings suggest that SMe1EC2 promotes an improved recovery of the left ventricular function following ischemia compared to either stobadine or SMe1. However, both SMe1EC2 and SMe1 manifested a significant anti-dysrhythmic effect comparable with that of stobadine and partially reduced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury.     

Protective effects of naringin and trimetazidine on remote effect of acute renal injury on oxidative stress and myocardial injury through Nrf-2 regulation

BackgroundIschemia/reperfusion (I/R) is the predominant cause of acute renal failure (ARF), which damages the remote organs, especially the heart, and subsequently leads to death. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of naringin (NAR), trimetazidine (TMZ), or their combination on the Nrf-2 expression in the kidney tissue, and myocardial injury in the renal IR injury in rats.MethodsForty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly separated into five groups as follows: sham, IR injury, TMZ (5 mg/kg, intravenously), NAR (100 mg/kg), and their combination. Renal I/R injury and ischemia were induced by using clamps for 45 min, and after 4 h reperfusion, respectively. Then, the Nrf-2 expression in the kidney, antioxidant activity (CAT, SOD, and GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress, electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters, and biochemical markers were examined.ResultsRenal IR injury significantly reduced the Nrf-2 expression, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) enzymes’ activities and TAC. Moreover, Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in kidney and heart tissues, plasma creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were increased, and ECG parameters were significantly distributed; however, NAR, TMZ, or their combination improved these changes, in comparison with the renal IR injury in rats.ConclusionNAR, TMZ, or their combination could attenuate the Nrf-2 expression in the kidney tissue, following the renal IR injury through inhibition of lipid peroxidase, and enhancement of antioxidant activity.     

Montelukast protects against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen free radicals are important components involved in the pathophysiological processes observed during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the possible protective effect of montelukast, a selective antagonist of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1), on renal I/R injury. METHODS: Wistar albino rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Montelukast (10 mgkg(-1), i.p.) or saline was administered at 15 min prior to ischemia and immediately before the reperfusion period. At the end of the reperfusion period, following decapitation, kidney samples were taken for histological examination or for determination of renal malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation; glutathione (GSH), a key antioxidant; and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of tissue neutrophil infiltration. Formation of reactive oxygen species in renal tissue samples was monitored by using chemiluminescence (CL) technique with luminol and lucigenin probes. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured in the serum samples, while leukotriene B4, TNF-alpha, IL-beta, IL-6 and total antioxidant capacity (AOC) were assayed in plasma samples. RESULTS: Ischemia/reperfusion caused a significant decrease in renal GSH and plasma AOC, which was accompanied with significant increases in MDA level, MPO activity, and CL levels of the renal tissue concomitant with increased levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators, LDH activity, creatinine and BUN. On the other hand, montelukast treatment reversed all these biochemical indices as well as histopathological alterations induced by I/R. CONCLUSIONS: CysLT1 receptor antagonist montelukast reversed I/R-induced oxidant responses, improved microscopic damage and renal function. It seems likely that montelukast protects kidney tissue by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration, balancing oxidant-antioxidant status, and regulating the generation of inflammatory mediators.     

Effect of stobadine on leukocyte free radical generation in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: comparison with vitamin E

We investigated a possible alteration in the ability of leukocytes to produce reactive oxygen species by stobadine, a pyridoindole antioxidant, in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The production of free radicals from whole blood was assessed by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence after stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate. The effects of vitamin E treatment were also evaluated and compared with the effects of combined treatment with stobadine. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg i.p.). Some of diabetic rats and their age-matched controls were treated orally with a low dose of stobadine (24.7 mg/kg/day), vitamin E (400-500 IU/kg/day), or stobadine plus vitamin E for 10 weeks. Stobadine and vitamin E separately produced, to a similar degree, a reduction in diabetes-induced hyperglycemia. The phorbol myristate acetate stimulated chemiluminescence signal was markedly depressed in both moderate and severe diabetic rats. Stobadine treatment prevented this depression of the chemiluminescence response. Vitamin E treatment also eliminated the depression of the chemiluminescence signal in diabetic rats, and the combination with stobadine did not produce further improvement in leukocyte function. These results suggest that stobadine treatment alone is able to produce beneficial effects on leukocyte function and to maintain leukocyte free radical release during diabetes.     

C1q/TNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6) attenuates renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury through the activation of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

C1q/TNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6) is a member of the CTRP family that has been reported to exhibit a nephroprotective effect. However, the role of CTRP6 in renal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (IRI) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to explore the protective effect of CTRP6 in renal IRI and the potential mechanism. We found that CTRP6 expression was markedly decreased in the kidneys of mice subjected to I/R and HK-2 cells in response to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) stimulation. Recombinant CTRP6 protein protected against renal I/R injury by the reduction of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels. The increased production of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well the decreased activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) caused by H/R induction were mitigated by CTRP6 in HK-2 cells. The caspase-3 activity and apoptotic rate were both decreased in CTRP6-overexpressing HK-2 cells. In addition, we also found that knockdown of CTRP6 aggravated H/R-caused oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Moreover, CTRP6 overexpression enhanced the H/R-stimulated activation of PI3K/Akt pathway in HK-2 cells. Inhibition of PI3K reversed the nephroprotective effects of CTRP6 in HK-2 cells. Taken together, CTRP6 exerted protective effects against H/R-caused oxidative injury in HK-2 cells via activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.     

Neuroprotective effect of ginger on anti-oxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginger on oxidative stress markers in the mitochondrial fractions of cerebral cortex (CC), cerebellum (CB), hippocampus (HC) and hypothalamus (HT) of diabetic rats. Diabetes exacerbates neuronal injury induced by hyperglycemia mediated oxidative damage. A marked decrease in anti-oxidant marker enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH) and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in the diabetic rats. Decreased activities of anti-oxidant enzymes in diabetic rats were augmented on oral administration of ginger. Moreover, ginger administration depleted the MDA level, which was earlier increased in the diabetic rats. These results suggest that ginger exhibit a neuroprotective effect by accelerating brain anti-oxidant defense mechanisms and down regulating the MDA levels to the normal levels in the diabetic rats. Thus, ginger may be used as therapeutic agent in preventing complications in diabetic patients.     

Renoprotective effect of trolox against ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats

1. Although alpha-tocopherol has been shown to improve renal function following ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, its clinical use is not common because alpha-tocopherol requires several days of pretreatment to exhibit anti-oxidative benefits. The advent of trolox, a water-soluble analogue of alpha-tocopherol, has raised the possibility that this compound may function more rapidly during acute oxidative stress than the conventional alpha-tocopherol. 2. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of the short-term administration of trolox on renal excretory function following I/R in rats. 3. Male Wistar rats were subjected to 45 min unilateral renal artery occlusion followed by 120 min reperfusion. The control I/R group was subjected to I/R and received saline as an intravenous bolus (2 mL/kg) followed by a continuous infusion of 2 mL/kg per h starting 30 min before ischaemia, whereas the three trolox-treated I/R groups were given an i.v. bolus of trolox (2.5 mg/kg) followed by a continuous infusion (12 mg/kg per h) starting at 30 min before ischaemia, 5 min before reperfusion and 5 min after reperfusion, respectively. Renal function, malondialdehyde, glutathione and histopathology were evaluated. 4. Ischaemia-reperfusion produced a significant deterioration of renal function, which was accompanied by an elevated malondialdehyde and depleted glutathione content. Kidneys from control I/R rats demonstrated tubular cell transformation, brush border loss, vacuolation, cast formation and tubular obstruction. These changes were attenuated by trolox treatment, with the best improvement achieved when trolox was delivered 5 min before reperfusion. 5. The results demonstrate the renoprotective effects of the short-term administration of trolox on I/R injury. These findings indicate the ability of trolox to overcome a major drawback of using alpha-tocopherol and suggest that trolox may offer a therapeutic advantage over alpha-tocopherol in acute ischaemic renal failure settings.     

Propolis ameliorates cerebral injury in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rat model via upregulation of TGF-β1

Neuroprotective impact of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is increasingly recognized in different brain injuries. Propolis exhibits a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties including neuroprotective action. The objective of the investigation was to explore the involvement of TGF-β1 signaling in the neuroprotective mechanism of propolis in I/R rats. In this study, focal cerebral ischemia model was built by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion. The investigation was carried out on 48 rats that were arranged into four groups (n = 12): the sham group, I/R control group, I/R + propolis (50 mg/kg) group and I/R + propolis (100 mg/kg) group. The results revealed that propolis preserved rats against neuronal injury induced by cerebral I/R. It significantly reduced neurological deficit scores and improved motor coordination and locomotor activity in I/R rats. Propolis antagonized the damage induced by cerebral I/R through suppression of malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevation of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and dopamine levels in the brain homogenates of I/R rats. Other ameliorations were also observed based on reduction of neurodegeneration and histological alterations in the brain tissues. These results also proposed that the neuroprotective effect of propolis might be related to upregulation of TGF-β1 and suppressed matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP9) mRNA expression.     

Protective effects of curcumin against ischaemia/reperfusion insult in rat forebrain.

Oxidative stress is believed to be implicated in the pathogenesis of postischaemic cerebral injury. Many antioxidants were shown to be neuroprotective in experimental models of cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R). The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effects of curcumin (CUR) against I/R insult in rat forebrain. The model adopted was that of surgically-induced forebrain ischaemia, performed by means of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 1 h, followed by reperfusion for another 1h. The effects of a single i.p. dose of CUR (50, 100 or 200 mg kg(-1)), administered 0.5 h after the onset of ischaemia, were investigated by assessing oxidative stress-related biochemical parameters in rat forebrain. CUR, at the highest dose level (200 mg kg(-1)), decreased the I/R-induced elevated xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, superoxide anion (O(2)*(-)) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. On the other hand, CUR did not affect the declined reduced glutathione (GSH) content due to I/R insult. Worth mentioning is that the activity of catalase (CAT) did not change in response to either I/R insult or drug treatment. In conclusion, CUR was found to protect rat forebrain against I/R insult. These protective effects may be attributed to its antioxidant properties and/or its inhibitory effects on xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase (XD/XO) conversion and resultant O(2)*(-) production.     

前列地尔对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的观察前列地尔对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法首先建立大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤动物模型,并将实验大鼠随机分为3组,即正常对照组(Control)、肾缺血再灌注损伤组(I/R)和前列地尔治疗组(前列地尔+I/R)。实验结束后检测大鼠血浆及肾组织中脂质过氧化代谢产物丙二醛(MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,并观察大鼠肾脏组织结构的变化。结果大鼠发生肾脏缺血再灌注损伤时,血浆和肾组织中脂质过氧化代谢产物MDA的含量明显升高(P<0.05),而SOD的活性则明显降低(P<0.05)。在大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤前预先给予前列地尔,能够明显抑制上述指标的变化,同时可以减轻大鼠肾脏组织超微结构的损伤。结论前列地尔可以降低大鼠血浆和肾组织中MDA的含量,升高SOD的水平,对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤具有明显的保护作用。     

Effect of thymoquinone on hepatorenal dysfunction and alteration of CYP3A1 and spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyl-transferase gene expression induced by renal ischaemia-reperfusion in rats

Objectives Renal ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) is a well‐characterised model of acute renal failure that causes both local and remote organ injury. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of thymoquinone, the main constituent of the volatile oil extracted from Nigella sativa seeds, on renal and hepatic changes after renal ischaemia–reperfusion. Methods Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into sham I/R vehicle‐treated groups, and I/R thymoquinone‐treated groups. Thymoquinone (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered for ten consecutive days to the I/R thymoquinone group before injury. I/R and I/R thymoquinone groups were subjected to 30‐min ischaemia followed by 4‐h reperfusion. Key findings I/R resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and decreases in glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver and kidney tissues. Thymoquinone treatment caused the reversal of I/R‐induced changes in MDA as well as GST and SOD activity. Moreover, I/R caused a significant rise in creatinine and alanine aminotransferase serum levels. CYP3A1 mRNA expression was induced significantly by I/R in both liver and kidney tissues compared with sham group. Thymoquinone reduced significantly this increase. I/R caused induction of mRNA expression of spermidine/spermine N‐1‐acetyl‐transferase (SSAT), a catabolic enzyme that participates in polyamine metabolism, in liver and kidney tissues. Thymoquinone reduced SSAT mRNA expression significantly in liver and markedly in kidney. Conclusions These findings suggested that thymoquinone protected against renal I/R‐induced damage through an antioxidant mechanism as well as the decrease of CYP3A1 and SSAT gene expression.     

无创性延迟肢体缺血预适应对大鼠脑缺血再灌注皮层的保护作用

目的：研究无创性延迟肢体缺血预适应（NDLIP）对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法：通过连续3d,每天1次3个循环左后肢无创性5min缺血、5rain再灌注,建立NDLIP模型。实验分4组：假手术组（sham）、缺血再灌注组（I／R）、早期脑缺血预适应＋I／R组（ECIP＋I／R）、NDLIP＋I／R组。观察其对脑缺血／再灌注的神经缺损症状,脑梗死范围,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—PX）活力,黄嘌呤氧化酶活力（XOD）,丙二醛（MDA）含量影响。结果：与I/R组相比,ECIP＋I／R组及NDLIP＋I／R组缺血1h,再灌注24h后评分有非常显著的降低;脑梗死范围显著减小。与I／R组比较,ECIP＋I／R组和NDLIP＋I／R组的T-SOD和Mn—SOD活力、GSH—PX活力均升高;XOD活力明显降低,MAD含量明显减少;ECIP＋I／R组和NDLIP＋I／R组间差异无统计学意义。结论：NDLIP可降低I／R对神经的损伤、减小脑梗死范围、提高脑组织抗氧化能力,减少I／R对脑组织的损伤。     

Hydrogen sulfide protects from intestinal ischaemia–reperfusion injury in rats

Objectives Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an endogenously gaseous mediator, regulating many pathophysiological functions in mammalian cells. H₂S has been shown to inhibit myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, little is known about whether H₂S could modulate intestinal I/R injury. This study aimed to investigate the effect of H₂S on intestinal I/R injury and potential mechanism(s) underlying the action of H₂S in regulating the development of intestinal I/R injury in rats. Methods Following surgical induction of intestinal I/R injury for 1 h, groups of Sprague‐Dawley rats were treated with, or without, tetramethylpyrazine (8 mg/kg), or sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, an H₂S donor at 7 or 14 μmol/kg) 30 min after occlusion. All rats were sacrificed immediately after the reperfusion. Their intestinal injury, together with that of sham‐control rats, was histologically examined and their sera and intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities were characterized by biochemical analysis. Key findings The results showed that NaHS significantly reduced intestinal I/R injury and the levels of sera and intestinal MDA activity, and dramatically increased the levels of serum and intestinal SOD and GSH‐Px activity. Conclusions The results suggest that H₂S protects from intestinal I/R injury in rats, which is associated with increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes.     

I n vitvo studies on the interaction of the pyridoindole antioxidant stobadine with rat liver microsomal P450

1. Stobadine, a pyridoindole antioxidant agent, elicited medium affinity, low capacity interaction with type I binding sites of the hepatic microsomal cytochromes P450 derived from control and acetone-pretreated rats. Reverse type I interaction of low affinity and low capacity was observed in microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats.

2. Stobadine led to an increase of H₂O₂ production when added to liver microsomes derived from differently pretreated rats in an NADPH-dependent process with concomitantly increased oxygen consumption.

3. Stobadine, at concentrations stimulating H₂O₂ formation, was found to prevent NADPH-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation, assessed as thiobarbituric acid-reactive product accumulation.

4. Only a weak inhibitory effect of stobadine on either NADPH- or cumene hydroperoxide-dependent aminopyrine N-demethylation and aniline hydroxylation was observed in microsomes from control and phenobarbital-pretreated rats. An approximately 10 times higher inhibitory potency towards aminopyrine N-demethylase activity was observed in acetone-pretreated rats.

5. In spite of the direct interaction of stobadine with microsomal P450, the compound only marginally affected aminopyrine and aniline metabolism both by monooxygenase and peroxidase modes of action of the P450 enzyme system. The potent antioxidant activity of stobadine was not diminished by the ability of the drug to stimulate the oxidase function of P450.     

Alpha-lipoic acid protects against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To evaluate the protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid in reducing oxidative damage after severe hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. METHODS: Wistar albino rats were subjected to 45 min of hepatic ischemia, followed by 60 min reperfusion period. Lipoic acid (100 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 15 min prior to ischemia and immediately before reperfusion period. At the end of the reperfusion period aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and cytokine, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels were determined in serum samples. Malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined in the liver tissue samples while formation of reactive oxygen species was monitored by using chemiluminescence (CL) technique with luminol and lucigenin probes. Tissues were also analyzed histologically. Results: Serum ALT, AST, and LDH activities and TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels were elevated in the I/R group, while this increase was significantly lower in the group of animals treated concomitantly with lipoic acid. Hepatic GSH levels, significantly depressed by I/R, were elevated back to control levels in lipoic acid-treated I/R group. Furthermore, increases in tissue luminol and lucigenin CL, MDA levels and MPO activity due to I/R injury were reduced back to control levels with lipoic acid treatment. CONCLUSION: Since lipoic acid administration alleviated the I/R-induced liver injury and improved the hepatic structure and function, it seems likely that lipoic acid with its antioxidant and oxidant-scavenging properties may be of potential therapeutic value in protecting the liver against oxidative injury due to ischemia-reperfusion.     

RETRACTED: Effect of trimetazidine on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

There is increasing evidence to suggest that toxic oxygen radicals play a role in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the kidney. This study was designed to investigate the effects of trimetazidine, in I/R induced renal failure in rats. The protective effect of trimetazidine (Tmz) against the damage inflicted by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during renal I/R was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats using histopathological and biochemical parameters. In one set of experiments animals were unilaterally nephrectomized, and subjected to 45 min of left renal pedicle occlusion and in another set both the renal pedicles were occluded for 45 min followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Trimetazidine (3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) was administered 30 min prior to ischemia and repeated 12 h after the first dose. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were sacrificed. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione reductase (GR) catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in renal tissue. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were measured for the evaluation of renal function. Ischemic control animals demonstrated severe deterioration of renal function, renal morphology and a significant renal oxidative stress. Pretreatment of animals with trimetazidine markedly attenuated renal dysfunction, morphological alterations, reduced elevated TBARS levels and restored the depleted renal antioxidant enzymes. The findings imply that ROS play a causal role in I/R induced renal injury and trimetazidine exert renoprotective effects probably by the radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.     

葡萄籽原花青素对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的探讨葡萄籽原花青素(Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract,GSPE)对大鼠急性肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法32只SD大鼠随机分为4组,每组8只,分别为假实验组(SG),缺血再灌注组(I/RG),急性GSPE(450mg/kg灌胃1次)治疗+I/R组(ATG),慢性GSPE(150mg/kg灌胃喂养1周)治疗+I/R组(CTG)。采用一侧肾蒂结扎、另一侧肾动脉夹闭的肾缺血再灌注损伤模型,测定肾组织丙二醛(MDA)水平和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,同时测定血清尿素氮(BUN)和肌酐(Cr)水平。结果I/RG与SG相比,MDA、BUN和Cr含量明显升高(P<0.05),SOD活性下降(P<0.05)。与I/RG相比,ATG的MDA和Cr含量下降(P<0.01,P<0.05),CTG的MDA、BUN和Cr含量明显下降(P<0.05,P<0.01),SOD活力显著升高(P<0.05)。结论葡萄籽原花青素对肾缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与抗自由基损伤有关。