Up-regulation of B-cell lymphoma factor-2 expression, inhibition of oxidative stress and down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the protective effect of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) juice in lead-induced endothelial dysfunction in rats

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2022 Sep:73:127014. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127014. Epub 2022 May 30.

Abstract

Background: Oxido-inflammatory stress and dysregulation of nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in lead toxicity. Cabbage is an antioxidant-rich household vegetable with plethora of therapeutic potentials. The present study investigated the anti-oxido-inflammatory activity of cabbage in lead-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Methods: Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were selected into four groups (n = 5) and treated with distilled water (1 mL/100 g b.wt), lead acetate (25 mg/kg b.wt), cabbage juice (1 mL/100 g b.wt) and lead acetate (25 mg/kg b.wt) plus cabbage juice (1 mL/100 g b.wt) respectively. Treatment was done orally for 28 days, thereafter, oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GSH, and MDA), inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-6) and apoptotic (Bcl-2) markers were assayed using standard biochemical assays as well as histoarchitectural study of the endothelium.

Results: The results showed that they were significant increase in MDA, ET-1, TNF-α and IL-6 while SOD, GSH, CAT, NO and Bcl-2 protein expression were decreased in Lead exposed animals. Endothelial histoarchitecture was also altered. Following Cabbage juice treatment, MDA, ET-I, TNF-α and IL-6 were down-regulated while SOD, GSH, CAT, NO and Bcl-2 protein expression were up-regulated. Histoarchitecture was significantly recovered.

Conclusion: The study suggests that cabbage juice could mitigates Lead-induced endothelial dysfunction by modulating oxido-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mediators.

Data availability: All data are available upon request.

Keywords: Cabbage juice; Endothelial dysfunction; Lead acetate; Oxido-inflammatory stress; Vasoconstrictor; Vasodilator.

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Brassica* / chemistry
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Fruit and Vegetable Juices*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lead* / toxicity
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2* / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Bcl2 protein, rat
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-6
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Lead
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Superoxide Dismutase