Thymoquinone Upregulates Catalase Gene Expression and Preserves the Structure of the Renal Cortex of Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroid Rats

Abstract

Background. The association between hypothyroidism and renal diseases has been described in many studies. Nigella Sativa was among the recently reported natural product that has the potential to prevent renal tissue damage and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of thymoquinone on the structure of the renal cortex of hypothyroid rats and explore the mechanism behind it. Methods. An experimental model of hypothyroidism was induced in adult male Wistar rats by administration of propylthiouracil (6 mg/kg/body weight). One hypothyroid group was treated with thymoquinone at the dose of 50 mg/kg/body weight and compared to the untreated group. Thyroid function and oxidant/antioxidant status were assessed in the serum. Catalase gene expression was assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. The kidney was assessed both histologically and immunohistochemically. Results. Administration of propylthiouracil resulted in a significant decrease in the serum levels of nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activity while the level of malondialdehyde significantly (p<0.001) increased. Administration of thymoquinone alleviated this effect on the thyroid hormones and significantly increased the serum levels of antioxidants. Thymoquinone significantly (p<0.001) upregulated catalase transcription by about 24-fold and could block the hypothyroidism-induced glomerular and tubular injury. Conclusion. Thymoquinone may have a potential protective effect against hypothyroidism-induced renal injury acting through the attenuation of the oxidative stress and upregulation of renal catalase gene expression.

Thymoquinone Induces Nrf2 Mediated Adaptive Homeostasis: Implication for Mercuric Chloride-Induced Nephrotoxicity

“… 19 We found increased an CAT level in the TQ-treated groups, and our observations are similar to the study conducted by Ayoub et al in which TQ upregulated CAT gene expression in the renal cortex in response to oxidative stress induced by propylthiouracil. 20 Additionally, TQ also boosted the second line of defense antioxidant, primarily GSH. 21 Khalife and Lupidi explored that TQ reacted chemically with GSH, NADH, and NADPH at physiological conditions in the liver which resulted in reduced end products, glutathionylated-dihydrothymoquinone and dihydrothymoquinone, respectively.…”

“…19 We found increased an CAT level in the TQ-treated groups, and our observations are similar to the study conducted by Ayoub et al in which TQ upregulated CAT gene expression in the renal cortex in response to oxidative stress induced by propylthiouracil. 20 Figure 2. Effect on the kidney index (%).…”

Thymoquinone Preserves Pancreatic Islets Structure Through Upregulation of Pancreatic β-Catenin in Hypothyroid Rats

“…These findings are in line with those of Bunker et al and Chattopadhyay et al 24 , 46 TQ significantly up-regulated CAT gene expression in pancreatic tissue, in this study and this was in concordance with the previous studies conducted on the liver and kidney. 25 , 47 , 48…”

Brain-derived Neurotropic factor (BDNF) mediates the protective effect of Cucurbita pepo L. on salivary glands of rats exposed to chronic stress evident by structural, biochemical and molecular study

“…The details of the procedure was previously described. 23 The cDNAs obtained were amplified using PCR Master Mix (Bioneer) with primers designed by Metabion International (Semmelweisser, Germany) as follows: BDNF (forward 5′-TATTTCATACTTCGGTTGC-3; reverse 5′-TGTCAGCCAGTGATGTCG-3′) and β-actin (forward 5′-TCTGGCACCACA CCTTCTA-3; reverse 5′-AGGCATACAGGGACAGCAC-3).…”