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Prophylactic administration of carnosine and melatonin abates the incidence of apoptosis, inflammation, and DNA damage induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in rat livers

  • Nanotechnology, Nanopollution, Nanotoxicology and Nanomedicine (NNNN)
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Abstract

Although titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TDO-ns) are extensively used in the food, medicine, and cosmetic industries, discussions about the possible hazards of nanomaterials are just beginning to emerge. This study aimed to detect the inflammatory stress, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death induced in the livers of rats exposed to TDO-ns (600 mg/kg, particle size ≤ 100 nm). Furthermore, the modulation of these toxic effects by two potent naturally occurring antioxidants, carnosine (Carno) or melatonin (Melato), was evaluated. The co-administration of carnosine or melatonin to rats intoxicated with TDO-ns significantly attenuated the increases in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin G (IgG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The two agents markedly ameliorated hepatic DNA damage and the alterations in hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), cytochrome P450, caspase-3, total phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin, and triglyceride (TG) levels. These results support the use of Carno or Melato as prophylactic agents against TDO-ns-induced liver damage.

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Funding

This work was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University through research group no. RG-1439-017.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Laila Mohamed Fadda

  2. Genetic and Cytology Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

    Hanaa M. Ali

  3. Common First Year Deanship, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Hanaa M. Ali

  4. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Azza M. Mohamed

  5. Therapeutic Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

    Azza M. Mohamed

  6. Pharmacology Unit (31), Medical College and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Po Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia

    Hanan Hagar

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  1. Laila Mohamed Fadda
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  2. Hanaa M. Ali
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  3. Azza M. Mohamed
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  4. Hanan Hagar
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Correspondence to Hanaa M. Ali.

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The animal utilization protocols were performed in accordance with the guidelines provided by the College of Pharmacy, King Saud University.

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Fadda, L.M., Ali, H.M., Mohamed, A.M. et al. Prophylactic administration of carnosine and melatonin abates the incidence of apoptosis, inflammation, and DNA damage induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in rat livers. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 19142–19150 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05059-4

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