Effect of Curcumin and N-Acetylcysteine on Brain Histology and Inflammatory Factors (MMP-2, 9 and TNF-α) in Rats Exposed to Arsenic

Abstract

Background: Arsenic is a toxic element that widely widespread in environment. Inflammation is now considered as one of the major mechanisms implicated in arsenic poisoning. Curcumin (Cur) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) are potential antioxidants that protect cells against inflammation. This study aimed to compare the protective effect of Cur and NAC on brain histology and inflammatory factors, including matrix metalloproteinases-2, -9 (MMP-2, 9) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats exposed to single dose of arsenic. Methods: Rats were exposed to single dose of arsenic (20mg/kg, by gavage) for 30 days and then treated with 300mg/kg NAC (by gavage) and 100mg/kg Cur (by gavage), individually. Serum level of TNF-α was measured using specific ELISA kits. MMP2 and MMP9 contents were measured using Gelatin Zymography method. Brain samples were collected for histopathological and morphological examinations. Results: Arsenic treatment induced white matter lesions and cellular damages at hippocampal CA1 area of the brain. The number of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells was significantly declined in arsenic exposed rats (p<0.05). Treatment with NAC and Cur improved these abnormalities. The mean levels of MMP2, MMP9 and TNF-α inflammatory biomarkers were slightly declined after treatment with NAC and Cur (p>0.05). Conclusion: NAC and Cur play an important role in protecting the hippocampal CA1 cells injury induced by arsenic.

How can nanomicelle-curcumin modulate aluminum phosphide-induced neurotoxicity?: Role of SIRT1/FOXO3 signaling pathway

“…Histopathologically, we have found that ALP may lead to oxidative and histological effects in the brain and reduced cell density showed that nanomicelle-CUR exhibits brain-protective properties associated with low hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells or high cell density. According to Fallah et al, the number of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 was decreased in rats exposed to arsenic, and CUR and N-acetylcysteine treatments improved these abnormalities [69] . In addition, a study by Ciftci et al reported that CPT-11 treated rats had oxidative and histological damage in the cardiac tissue, such as inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhage, vascular congestion and vacuolization.…”

Curcumin alleviates Arsenic trioxide-induced behavioural impairment, oxidative damage & morphological alterations in striatal region of mice brain

“…Several studies have documented the role of arsenic as a pro-oxidant agent inducing OS in various body tissues [76][77][78]. Hence, we determined the levels of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation.…”

“…Fallah et al (2018) investigated the effect of CUR and NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) on brain histology in rats exposed to 20 mg/kg arsenic through oral gavage (every other day for 30 days) and observed cellular damage and severe lesions in white matter of hippocampus and CA1 neurons in arsenic alone exposed rats, whereas normal gray and white matter along with well-arranged neurons with normal density and morphology were found in rats co-treated either with CUR or NAC [78]. Also, the antioxidant treated groups showed neuronal count near to that observed in the control group.…”

Counteracting arsenic toxicity: Curcumin to the rescue?

“…Co-treatment with antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and CUR) reverse these changes and protect cells against inflammation through decreasing the levels of MMP-2, -9 and TNF-α inflammatory factors [178].…”