Xanthohumol Effect on 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-Treated Japanese Quails in Terms of Serum Lipids, Liver Enzymes, Estradiol, and Thyroid Hormones

Abstract

Dioxins are compounds classified as persistent organic pollutants, from which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) is the most toxic to living organisms. TCDD is considered a carcinogen and has proinflammatory influence on animals and humans, promoting free radicals’ formation, and binding with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) leads to expression of cytochrome p-450 genes that in turn predisposes to mutations. Natural flavonoids, in this case xanthohumol (XN), have been reported to attenuate TCDD toxicity through inhibition of the transformation of the AhR. Moreover, XN shows antioxidant properties. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin and XN on lipid, liver enzyme, estradiol, and thyroid enzyme levels in the serum of Japanese quails. Adult, six-month-old, Japanese quails were divided into eight groups according to treatment procedures. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TCh), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), triglycerides (TGs), estradiol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine, and activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were measured. In comparison with the control group, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin significantly decreased concentrations of serum HDLs and thyroid hormones and significantly increased the serum TCh level. Levels of serum TGs, liver enzymes, and estradiol were not changed after 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin treatment. Based on our data, XN treatment may also increase the levels of thyroid hormones. Moreover, the tested dioxin disrupts the liver function, especially changing lipids’ metabolism. Therefore, more studies are needed for better understanding the mechanism of toxic influence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin on key metabolic pathways and organs in living organisms.

The Improvement of the Adaptation Process of Tocopherol and Acetylsalicylic Acid in Offspring of Mothers Exposed to TCDD

“…Previous studies have shown that when high doses of tocopherol are used in dioxin-contaminated animals, there is a decline in the concentration of diagnostic markers of inflammation and in the results of liver function tests [ 9 , 10 , 18 , 19 ]. In addition, it was found that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) significantly reduces the amount of TCDD binding to cytosolic AhR, as well as potentially blocking the signal transduction initiated by exposure to the dioxin [ 11 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Studies in type 1-like diabetic rats have indicated that the combination of acetylsalicylic acid and α-tocopherol leads to beneficial changes that could help to protect tissues from thrombotic and ischemic phenomena [ 23 ].…”