Potential protective effect of betanine against sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress in rats

In this study, it was aimed to determine the possible protective effect of betanin, which is known to have antioxidant properties, against sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress. During the experiment, all groups were given a standard rodent diet and water ad libitum. Group I: the control group, standard rodent diet and water were given to male rats, II. Group: 100 ppm sodium fluoride dissolved in distilled water given by drinking water, III., IV. and V. groups sodium fluoride with 25; 50 and 100 mg/kg betanin (dissolved in water) were administered daily for 21 days by gastric gavage. At the end of the experiment, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) values and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were analyzed in blood, liver, lung, kidney, heart, testes and brain tissue of rats. Molecular analysis of liver and kidney IFN-γ, TNF-α and NFkB inflammatory genes and histopathological examinations of tissues were performed. Sodium fluoride administration stimulated lipid peroxidation in all tissues of rats, decreased GSH levels, SOD and CAT activities. However, sodium fluoride administration increased MDA levels and IFN- γ, TNF-α and NF-kB gene expressions. In addition, it was observed that sodium fluoride administration caused histopathological changes in the tissues. It was determined that MDA level was the highest in blood tissue (34.47±8.83) after sodium fluoride administration. It was also determined that betanin administration brought the GSH level, SOD and CAT activities closer to the control group and reversed the decreased antioxidant enzyme activity levels. On the other hand, it was determined that the administration of betanin with sodium fluoride decreased the MDA level. Consequently, it was concluded that betanin showed a protective effect against sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress and decreased its negative effects. According to this result, it has been revealed that betanin has beneficial effects in the prevention of tissue and organ damage due to sodium fluoride induced oxidative stress.