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Crocin protects the liver and kidney from patulin-induced apoptosis in vivo

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Abstract

Patulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin mainly produced by Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Bissochlamys. Given the high risk associated with this mycotoxin, its potential effects have been investigated by many studies. It is known to be teratogenic, mutagenic, and genotoxic, and it has been shown to induce damages in several organs in experimental animals. Our aim was to investigate the preventive effect against PAT-induced apoptosis in vivo using natural carotenoid, Crocin (CRO). Mice were divided into six groups: a control group, a “PAT alone” group, a “CRO alone” group, and a “PAT plus CRO” groups (pre-treatment conditions). Our results showed that CRO restored the normal levels of biochemical parameters in the liver and kidney. The analysis of the protein expression in these organs revealed that PAT-induced toxicity promotes the induction of apoptosis via the increase in P53, Bax, and cytochrome C and the decrease in Bcl2 expressions. We also found that PAT triggered caspase 3 activation and DNA fragmentation. However, pre-treatment with CRO demonstrated a reduction in the induction of apoptosis via the regulation of all tested biomarkers demonstrating that CRO is effective in the protection against PAT hazards. This could be relevant, particularly with the emergent demand for natural products which may counteract the detrimental toxic effects and therefore prevents multiple human diseases.

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Abbreviations

PAT:

Patulin

CRO:

Crocin

AST:

Aspartate aminotransferase

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

GGT:

Gamma glutamyl transferase

T-BIL:

Total bilirubin

TGL:

Triglycerides

CREA:

Creatinin

AU:

Ammonuria

T-CHOL:

Total cholesterol

LDH:

Lactate dehydrogenase

ALP:

Alkaline phosphatase

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Ministère Tunisien de l’Enseignement Superieur et de la Recherche Scientifique et de la Technologie (Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Substances Biologiquement Compatibles, LRSBC). The authors are thankful to Mr. Hassen Bacha and Mr. Mohamed Fadhel Najjar for their laboratory supports and for their constructive suggestions during the course of study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Monastir University, Rue Avicenne, 5019, Monastir, Tunisia

    Manel Boussabbeh, Intidhar Ben Salem, Faicel Belguesmi, Salwa Abid-Essefi & Hassen Bacha

  2. Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Carthage University, Tunis, Tunisia

    Manel Boussabbeh & Intidhar Ben Salem

  3. Laboratory of Biochemistry-Toxicology, Monastir University Hospital, Monaster, Tunisia

    Fadwa Neffati & Mohamed Fadhel Najjar

Authors
  1. Manel Boussabbeh
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  2. Intidhar Ben Salem
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  3. Faicel Belguesmi
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  4. Fadwa Neffati
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  5. Mohamed Fadhel Najjar
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  6. Salwa Abid-Essefi
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  7. Hassen Bacha
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Salwa Abid-Essefi.

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Compliance with ethical standards

All procedures were carried out in accordance with the National Institute of Health Guidelines for Animal Care and approved by the local ethics committee.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Highlights

- CRO regulates the liver and kidney dysfunctions induced by PAT

- CRO inhibits P53 cytochrome C and Bax levels in the liver and kidney

- CRO reduces the activation of caspase 3

- CRO alleviates PAT-induced DNA fragmentation

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Boussabbeh, M., Ben Salem, I., Belguesmi, F. et al. Crocin protects the liver and kidney from patulin-induced apoptosis in vivo. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 9799–9808 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6195-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6195-2

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