Carbon Tetrachloride Increases the Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Levels in Different Brain Areas of Wistar Rats: The Protective Effect of Acai Frozen Pulp

Abstract

Acai offers health benefits associated with its high antioxidante capacity, phytochemical composition, nutritional and sensory value. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of acai frozen pulp on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced damage via modulation of anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat brain tissue. The rats were treated via oral (gavage) daily with water or acai frozen pulp for 14 days at a dose of 7 μL/g. On the 15th day, the animals in each group received a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 in a dose of 3.0 mL/kg or the same volume of mineral oil. After 4 h, the animals were euthanized by decapitation and the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum were dissected and homogenated to evaluate the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 18 (IL-18), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10). Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post hoc test. It was observed that CCl4 increased TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18 levels in all brain tissues, and that acai frozen pulp was able to prevent this increase. IL-6 and IL-10 brain tissue levels remained unchanged during all treatments. CCl4 experimental model was suitable to investigate brain tissue anti and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Acai frozen pulp prevented an increase in IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α, while IL-6 and IL-10 levels remained unchanged. The precise pathway by which inflammation contribute to hepatic encephalopathy, as well as to how this pathway can be modulated, is still under investigation.

Protective effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract against oxidative stress, inflammation, depression, and apoptosis in a mouse model of hepatic encephalopathy

“…HE is ascribed with hyperammonemia in the bloodstream that can pass via the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and causes damage to the brain tissue through oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and dysfunction of energy metabolism (de Souza Machado et al 2015) . It is well known that CCl 4 treatment can successfully stimulate liver injury and HE associated brain tissue damage (de Souza Machado et al 2015) . For confirmation, the current experiment revealed that serum levels of liver enzymes; ALT and AST were increased significantly in CCl 4induced mice compared to the vehicle group.…”

Emerging Applications of Some Important Natural Compounds in the Field of Oncology

“…Neural viability may supplementary be affected by drugs, neuroendocrine factors, or various substances [36]. Acai frozen pulp can prevent the carbon tetrachloride-induced increase of interleukins (ILs)-1β and -18, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the brain tissue in vivo, potentially contributing to the improvement of HE and the overall disease status [11]. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is the infraclinical stage of HE, and can significantly impact patients' quality of life; unfortunately, the diagnosis is difficult and relies on psychometric testing or magnetic resonance spectroscopy [48].…”

Protective effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced neuroinflammation in a mouse model of hepatic encephalopathy

“…HE is ascribed with hyperammonemia in the bloodstream that can pass via the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and causes damage to the brain tissue 3 . The mechanism for brain injury associated with HE was reported to be through oxidative stress, in ammatory response, and dysfunction of energy metabolism 3 . It was previously documented that CCl 4 treatment can successfully stimulate liver injury along with HE associated brain tissue damage 3 .…”

“…The mechanism for brain injury associated with HE was reported to be through oxidative stress, in ammatory response, and dysfunction of energy metabolism 3 . It was previously documented that CCl 4 treatment can successfully stimulate liver injury along with HE associated brain tissue damage 3 . For con rmation, the current experiment revealed that serum levels of liver enzymes; ALT and AST, elevated signi cantly in CCl 4 -induced mice when compared with the control group.…”

“…HE is a neuropsychiatric disorder propagated as a result of acute or chronic hepatic failure 2 . Carbon tetrachloride (CCl ) is a toxic substance that is used to induce liver injury with concomitant brain disorders and can be used as an experimental model for HE 3 .…”