RESUMEN
Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a health complication, encompassing excessive inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and tubular necrosis; leading to kidney failure and death. Sepsis treatments are nonspecific and palliative. In this study, we evaluated the effect of morin, a flavonoid with known nephroprotective capabilities, on sepsis-induced AKI by dividing eighty male mice into: normal, morin-treated, septic, and septic mice treated with morin. Half of the groups were sacrified 3 days post sepsis induction, while the rest was sacrified on the 7th day. Treating septic mice with morin resulted in the amelioration of sepsis-associated pathophysiological renal alterations and the increase of the survival and recovery rates compared with those of septic control group. These findings indicate that morin has a therapeutic effect against sepsis-associated AKI via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and regenerative effects. Thus, it could be used as potential pharmacological intervention for preventing renal complications of sepsis.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Most hepatocellular carcinoma cases are diagnosed at late stages of the disease, which makes it the second cause of cancer mortality worldwide. For advanced-stage patients, chemotherapeutic drugs are the best treatment option; however, their adverse effects and high cost are still major obstacles for effective treatment. Spirulina microalga is a rich source of nutritional and bioactive elements and potential pharmaceuticals, which has an -proliferative effect against several cancer cell lines. It also has a prophylactic effect against the early stages of some cancer models, including hepatocellular carcinoma. AIMS: The present study was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic anticarcinogenic effect of spirulina against advanced murine hepatocellular carcinoma. MAIN METHODS: Hepatocarcinoma was induced by a single injection of diethylnitrosamine (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) followed by 22 weekly injections of carbon-tetrachloride (0.5 mg/kg, i.p). Spirulina (250 and 500 mg/kg bw) was given orally, from week 25 to 28, after the establishment of hepatocellular carcinoma. KEY FINDINGS: Spirulina inhibited HCC structural and functional alterations, manifested by improving the survival rate, significantly decreasing the tumor marker AFP, and the count and size of the hepatic nodules, as well as downstaging HCC. This was accompanied with the augmentation of the endogenous antioxidant capacity, apoptosis (Bax) and the tumor suppressor protein (p53), as well as the suppression of tissue levels of the lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) and neoangiogenesis marker (VEGF). SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, spirulina has an anticarcinogenic effect against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma exerted through activating the tumor suppressor protein p53 and apoptosis, and suppressing oxidative stress and angiogenesis.