Determination of the effects of hesperidin against sodium nitrite-induced oxidative stress in rats

Sodium nitrite is generally used in meat and meat products. Exposure to nitrite can cause oxidative stress and formation of reactive oxygen species as well as toxicity. For this reason, different substances with antioxidant properties are preferred to prevent undesirable effects. Hesperidin has a structure that contributes to its ability to scavenge free radicals. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of hesperidin in rats under oxidative stress induced by sodium nitrite. In the study, a total of 35 Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups. Group I was determined as the negative control. II. Group received a single dose of 60 mg/kg sodium nitrite subcutaneously at the end of 15 days. Hesperidin was given to the III, IV and V groups at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, for 15 days by gastric gavage, and at the end of 15 days, a single dose of 60 mg/kg sodium nitrite was given subcutaneously. At the end of the study, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) values in blood and tissue samples taken from animals were examined and histopathological examinations were performed. IFN-γ, TNF-α and NFkB expression levels were determined in liver and kidney tissue samples. Sodium nitrite administration caused a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) and GSH levels. Also, it increased lipid peroxidation. It caused histopathological changes in tissues and increased expression levels of inflammatory genes. However, increasing doses of hesperidin reduced the damage induced by sodium nitrite and showed a regenerative effect in tissues. As a result, it was determined that hesperidin, a natural antioxidant, has a protective effect and reversed the negative effects in the prevention of tissue and organ damage due to oxidative stress caused by sodium nitrite.