Investigation of the protective effect of chrysin against aflatoxin B1-induced liver damage in rats

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of chrysin (Ch) against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced liver and kidney damage in rats. 40 Wistar albino male rats were divided into 4 groups. Control group received 5% dimethylsulfoxide for 11 days, Ch group received 25 mg/kg/b.w/day chrysin for 11 days, AFB1 group received 0.5 mg/kg/b.w/day AFB1 for 7 days, and Ch + AFB1 group received 25 mg/kg for 11 days. /b.a/day Ch plus 0.5 mg/kg/b.a/day AFB1 for 7 days by oral gavage. The study was terminated on the 14th day and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme activities and creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total sialic acid levels were analyzed in serum samples. Glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8- hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), nuclear factor kappa B-p65 (NFKB-p65), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and NAD-dependent protein in liver and kidney homogenates. Deacetylase sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1) levels were measured. In addition, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed on liver and kidney samples. While a significant increase in serum AST, ALT, GGT values was detected in the aflatoxin B1 group compared to the control group (p<0.05), no statistically significant difference was detected in creatinine and BUN values (p>0.05). A significant decrease (p<0.05) was detected in AST, ALT and GGT values in the Ch+AFB1 group compared to the AFB1 group. A significant decrease in GSH level (p<0.05) and a significant increase in MDA and 8-OHdG levels (p<0.05) were detected in the liver and kidney tissues of the AFB1 group compared to the control group. In the Chrysin+ AFB1 group, there was a significant decrease in MDA and 8- OHdG levels compared to the AFB1 group (p<0.05); A significant increase (p<0.05) was determined in GSH level. A significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in liver NFKB-p65, TNF-α and Sirt-1, kidney TNF-α and Sirt-1 levels in the AFB1 group compared to the control group. No significant difference was detected in kidney NFKB-p65 level (p>0.05). A significant decrease (p<0.05) was detected in the levels of NFKB-p65, TNF-α and Sirt-1 in the Chrysin+AFB1 group compared to the AFB1 group. Histopathological changes and a significant increase (p<0.001) in the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9, PCNA and KI-67 were detected in the AFB1 group in liver and kidney tissues. In the Chrysin+AFB1 group, a significant decrease in the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, PCNA and KI-67 was detected, with a significant decrease in pathological lesions in the tissues (p<0.001). It was determined that AFB1 caused damage to liver and kidney tissues, and chrysin application prevented liver and kidney toxicity by reducing histopathological and biochemical damage markers. It was concluded that chrysin can be used as a protective agent against AFB1-induced liver and kidney damage.