Prophylactic and Therapeutic Effects of a Subcutaneous Injection of Sesame Oil Against Iron‐Induced Acute Renal Injury in Mice

Abstract

Background: Iron intoxication causes acute nephrotoxicity in animals and humans. Sesame oil, a healthful food, increases resistance to lipid peroxidation and protects against multiple organ injury in various animal models. The authors examined the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of a subcutaneous injection of sesame oil against iron‐induced acute renal injury in mice. Methods: Iron intoxication in mice was induced with an intraperitoneal injection (2 mg/kg) of ferric‐nitrilotriacetate (Fe‐NTA). Various doses of sesame oil (0, 1, 2, and 4 mL/kg, subcutaneously) were given immediately after (prophylactic) or 30 minutes after (therapeutic) the Fe‐NTA injection. Renal injury was assessed by the rise in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CRE) levels 3 hours after the Fe‐NTA injection. Results: One hour after the Fe‐NTA injection, serum BUN and CRE levels were significantly higher in Fe‐NTA‐treated mice than in saline‐treated controls; 3 and 6 hours after the Fe‐NTA injection, they were dose‐dependently and significantly lower in all sesame oil–treated groups than in the group treated only with Fe‐NTA and saline. Conclusion: A subcutaneous injection of sesame oil had both prophylactic and therapeutic effects against iron‐induced acute renal injury in mice.

Beneficial Effect of Sesame Oil on Heavy Metal Toxicity

“…Sesame oil and sesamol may be alternative approaches for managing metal intoxication. They are potent for treating metal‐associated toxicity 58 , 69 , 73 , 74 , 76 . In addition, sesamol significantly inhibits the iron‐mediated Haber‐Weiss reaction 78 .…”

“…In sesame's long history as a crop and oil, no harmful effects of sesame seed extracts have been reported. Sesame oil and sesamol show no observable adverse effects in treating lead and iron intoxication in rats 58 , 66 , 70 , 73 – 76 . Because metal chelating therapy is associated with adverse effects, treating heavy metal toxicity in addition with sesame oil and sesamol may be better alternatives.…”

“…Hydroxyl radical, one of the important free radicals in lipid peroxidation, is involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic toxicity in acute iron intoxication 75 . In addition, sesame oil is a potent preventive and therapeutic agent for renal dysfunction in iron‐intoxicated mice 76 . Furthermore, sesame seeds are better at using the stored iron in the liver than are black cumin seeds, milk thistle seeds, and thyme leaves 77…”

“… Possible mechanism of sesame oil and sesamol against iron‐induced lipid peroxidation 58 , 73 , 74 , 76 . LPS, lipopolysaccharide.…”

Sesame Oil Therapeutically Ameliorates Cardiac Hypertrophy by Regulating Hypokalemia in Hypertensive Rats

“…In addition, low serum K + and high urinary K + suggest that the potassium in blood may be overexcreted in DOCA/salt‐induced hypertensive rats 4 , 5 . Our previous studies have shown both protective and therapeutic effects of sesame oil on kidney damage and cardiac injury upon insults 36 , 37 . In the present study, the cardiac hypertrophy may have been induced by the persistent hypertension, which in turn deteriorated cardiac function and ultimately led to a failing heart 38 , 39 .…”