The effects of apelin-13 molecule in rat liver treated with doxorubicin

The aim of this study is to show whether liver damage caused by doxorubicin in rats is resolved histopathologically and biochemically by treatment of apelin-13. Thirty male Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into 3 groups with 10 rats in each group; Group 1 (control group): 3ml/kg intaperitoneal saline was given daily for 14 days. Group 2 (DOX group): Every 4 days, 5 mg/kg doxorubicin was given intraperitoneally, with a total of 20 mg/kg. Group 3 (DOX+apelin-13): Every 4 days, 5 mg/kg doxorubicin was given intraperitoneally, with a total of 20 mg/kg. 15 µg/kg apelin-13 was given intraperitoneally for 7 days from the beginning of the 2nd week of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed under anesthesia by administering xylazine 5mg/kg and ketamine 100mg/kg. Blood and liver samples were taken for biochemical (ALT, AST, TAS, TOS and hydroxyproline) and histopathological (Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, Pikro cirius and NF-κB antibody) evaluations. Normal histological structure was observed in the control group in liver tissues stained with hematoxylin-eosin. In the DOX group, hepatocytes showed pycnotic nucleus, centrilobular necrosis, sinusoidal dilation and diffuse degeneration. DXB+apelin-13 group showed significant improvement in all histological parameters. There was no significant difference between the 3 groups in Masson trichrome and picro cirius staining. In immunohistochemical staining with NF-κB antibody, the DOX group was found to be stained more intensely than the control group. It was observed that the intensity of staining with NF-κB decreased in the group given apelin-13 compared to the group given only DOX. In biochemical evaluations, there was a statistically significant increase in ALT, AST, hydroxyproline and TOS levels in the DOX group compared to the control group. There was a statistically significant decrease in TAS levels in the DOX group compared to the control group. A statistically significant decrease in ALT and TOS levels was found in the group given DOX+apelin-13 compared to the DOX group. There was no statistically significant difference between DOX and DOX + apelin-13 groups in AST, TAS and hydroxyproline levels. There was a statistically significant increase in hydroxyproline levels in the DOX+apelin-13 group compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in ALT, AST, TAS and TOS levels in the DOX+apelin-13 group compared to the control group. Results of the current study indicates that MSC administration may alleviate DXB-induced liver damage via reducing oxidative stress.