| Abstract: | AbstractBackground: Lutein is an antioxidant compound with potential biological effects. The present study investigated the protective role of Lutein against I/R injury in skeletal muscle.Methods: Animals were divided into three groups. Group I – sham operated; Group II- IR injury- Hind limb ischemia was induced by clamping the common femoral artery and vein. After 4?h of ischemia, the clamp was removed and the animals underwent 2?h of reperfusion. Group III-Lutein?+?IR injury- Rats with Lutein treatment received intraperitoneal injection 1?h before reperfusion. The skeletal tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress parameters (reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and sulfhydryls, lipid peroxidation). Antioxidant status was determined by evaluating Nrf-2 levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. The inflammatory mechanism was determined through NF-κB and COX-2 expressions. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA.Results: The results showed that Lutein treatment significantly decreased the oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and sulphydryls, lipid peroxidation. Further, the levels of Nrf-2 and antioxidant status was significantly declined during IR injury compared to sham operated rats. Lutein treatment reduced the oxidative stress by enhancing Nrf-2 levels and antioxidant status. Skeletal IR injury enhanced the inflammatory signaling by up regulating NF-κB, COX-2 and various pro-inflammatory cytokines. NF-κB, COX-2 expressions were down regulated by Lutein treatment.Conclusion: The study shows that Lutein protects against skeletal IR injury by down regulating oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanisms. |
