Chitosan nanoparticles as a promising candidate for liver injury induced by 2-nitropropane: Implications of P53, iNOS, VEGF, PCNA, and CD68 pathways

Abstract

The current article was designed to assess the role of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) in the management of hepatic injury induced by the hepatocarcinogen 2-nitropropane (2-NP). Rats were divided into three groups. The first group served as a control, the second group was injected with 2-NP, while the third group was treated with CNPs 1 h before 2-NP injection every other day for 4 weeks. The 2-NP injection upregulated serum AST and ALT activities, as well as hepatic TNF- α, IL-6, and MDA levels and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and caspase-3, whereas GSH contents and SOD activity were decreased. Immunohistochemistry investigations revealed that the hepatic protein expression of collagen I, inducible nitric oxide synthetase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cluster of differentiation, and p53 were upregulated. hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome stains supported the previous parameters, and CNPs ameliorated most of the previous biochemical parameters. CNPs achieved promising results in the limitation of 2-NP hepatotoxicity.

The Use of Chitosan-Coated Nanovesicles in Repairing Alcohol-Induced Damage of Liver Cells in Mice

“…Other researchers obtained chitosan nanoparticles based on the ion gelation method which displayed protective properties on 2-nitropropane-induced hepatic injury in rats, demonstrated by the amelioration of the functional biochemical parameters and the associated oxidative stress, as well as by the decrease in inflammatory markers and the restoration of normal liver conformation [6].…”

“…One of the most interesting drug-carrier mono-polymers is represented by a polysaccharide called chitosan, obtained from the deacetylation of chitin (Figure 1) [3], an essential structural element of arthropod exoskeletons, fungal cell walls and squid pens. The linear cationic structure of chitosan contains both units of β-(1→4)-2-amino-D-glucose and β-(1→4)-2-acetamido-D-glucose [4,5], and its positive charge furtherensuresproper binding to the predominantly negatively charged biological membranes [6].…”

“…charge furtherensuresproper binding to the predominantly negatively charged biological membranes [6]. Primary amines within the chitosan structuregive the polymer its character of cationic polyelectrolyte [7], and it isfurther able to interactwith cell membranes, as well aswith the vesicular lipid bilayer; these also properties give chitosan the ability to encapsulate active substances [8,9].…”