Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a well-known carcinogen and enhances oxidative stress and apoptosis and also alters several molecular pathways. Curcumin is an active ingredient of Curcuma longa, and it has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity that defends cells from oxidative stress and cell death. The objectives of the present study were to explore the protective effects of curcumin against long-term administration of BaP induced disturbances in lungs of rats. Male rats were randomly divided into four groups: saline control, BaP only, BaP + curcumin, and curcumin only. Lung histopathology, electron microscopy, inflammatory cytokine release, antioxidant levels, apoptosis, and cell cycle were examined. Instillation of BaP significantly increased infiltration of inflammatory cells in alveolar space and inflammatory cytokine in blood. BaP induced lung tissue alterations including mild bronchitis, scant chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate in the wall of the respiratory bronchiole, and mild intra-alveolar haemorrhage. However, these alterations were found to be significantly less as mild inflammatory cell infiltrate in curcumin plus BaP treated group. Furthermore, electron microscopy results also showed necrotic changes and broken cell membrane of Type-II epithelial cell of alveoli in BaP group, which was reduced after adding curcumin treatment. In addition, we found BaP plus curcumin treatment effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in blood serum. Moreover, the levels of tunnel staining and p53 expression were significantly increased by BaP, whereas these changes were noticeably modulated after curcumin treatment. BaP also interferes in normal cell cycle, which was significantly improved with curcumin treatment. Overall, our findings suggest that curcumin attenuates BaP -induced lung injury, probably through inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in lung epithelial cells, and improving cell proliferation and antioxidants level. Thus, curcumin may be an alternative therapy for improving the outcomes of Benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung injury.
Highlights
Exposure to outdoor air pollution is connected to reduced lung function and play a vital role in the developing respiratory and diseases
To examine the protective effect of curcumin against BaP-induced lung injury, the rats were treated with doses of curcumin (50 mg/kg/bw)
We reported that exposure of BaP increases inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, which was modulated by the adding of curcumin treatment in rats, and such differences were statistically significant
Summary
Exposure to outdoor air pollution is connected to reduced lung function and play a vital role in the developing respiratory and diseases. In this context, Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the potent carcinogen and certainly adsorbed on particles of diameters lower than 2 μm. Inhalation of BaP can directly induce inflammatory microenvironment in the lung or enter the lung alveoli and such substances reach to different body organs via the vasculature [3,4]. A number of possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain these effects, comprising direct effects of particles that translocated into the systemic circulation and alterations of the cardiac and pulmonary and systemic oxidative stress and inflammatory responses that activate endothelial dysfunction, initiation of immune cells, and induction of cell death [5,6]. The exact mechanistic pathways are still not fully understood
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
