Astaxanthin Mitigates Thiacloprid-Induced Liver Injury and Immunotoxicity in Male Rats

Abstract

Thiacloprid (TCP) is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide with a probable toxic hazard to animals and human beings. This hazard has intensified the demand for natural compounds to alleviate the expected toxic insults. This study aimed at determining whether astaxanthin (ASX) could mitigate the hepatotoxic effect of TCP and diminish its suppressive effect on immune responses in rats. Animals received TCP by gavage at 62.1 mg/kg (1/10th LD50) with or without ASX at 40 mg/kg for 60 days. Intoxicated rats showed modulation of serum transaminases and protein profiles. The hemagglutination antibody titer to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and the number of plaque-forming cells in the spleen were reduced. The cell-mediated immunity and phagocytosis were suppressed, while serum interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were elevated. Additionally, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels were increased in the liver, spleen, and thymus, with depletion of glutathione and suppression of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and the high mobility group box protein 1 genes were upregulated with histomorphological alterations in the aforementioned organs. Cotreatment with ASX markedly ameliorated the toxic effects of TCP, and all markers showed a regression trend towards control values. Collectively, our data suggest that the protective effects of ASX on the liver and immune system of TCP-treated animals depend upon improving the antioxidant status and relieving the inflammatory response, and thus it may be used as a promising therapeutic agent to provide superior hepato- and immunoprotection.

In ovo protective effects of chicoric and rosmarinic acids against Thiacloprid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and growth retardation on newly hatched chicks

“…In agreement with our data, elevated transaminase activities in response to TH treatment were previously demonstrated in rats ( Hendawi et al, 2016 ; Abou-Zeid et al, 2021 ). Moreover, the in-ovo treatment of chorioallantoic membranes of chicken embryos with imidacloprid elevated serum ALT, AST, and cholesterol levels ( Khandia et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Thiacloprid (TH) is a member of the neonics extensively used as an insecticide and, therefore, can be considered a potential hazard to non-target organisms. It has been demonstrated to be hepatotoxic and immunotoxic to rats ( Abou-Zeid et al, 2021 ), zebrafish ( Xie et al, 2022 ), reprotoxic to mice ( Hartman et al, 2021 ), and embryotoxic to rabbits and mice ( Babeľová et al, 2017 ). Alongside, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mentioned that TH is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” depending upon the occurrence of ovarian luteoma in mice, uterine adenocarcinomas, and thyroid adenomas in rats ( Rowland 2006 ).…”

Astaxanthin affects oxidative stress biomarkers in methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity

“…This in line with a study involving the toxic insecticide thiacloprid. While thiacloprid decreased CAT level, ASX treatment ameliorated the toxic effect by increasing CAT activity (Abou-Zeid et al 2021). In diabetic rats, ASX significantly increased CAT level when compared to the negative control group (Toprak and Dedeoğlu 2022).…”

Dunaliella salina Microalga Restores the Metabolic Equilibrium and Ameliorates the Hepatic Inflammatory Response Induced by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in Male Zebrafish

“…Other previous studies declared that ZnO-NPs inhibit the hatchability, and normal growth, and induce morphological malformations and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the zebrafish embryos [ 11 , 12 ] along with hematotoxicity [ 13 ], nephrotoxicity [ 14 ], reproductive toxicity [ 15 ], and immunomodulation [ 16 ] in the adult fishes. In fact, the liver is a key metabolic organ responsible for many vital functions including energy metabolism and detoxification of various environmental pollutants [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The hepatotoxicity associated with ZnO-NPs exposure was previously reported in the Oreochromis niloticus [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ] and Cyprinus carpio [ 24 ] indicated by increasing the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the reduction in serum activity of protein and albumin all were observed along with elevation of total triglycerides and cholesterol in serum.…”