Alpha-pinene alleviates CCl۴-induced renal and testicular injury in rats by targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis

Objective(s): Renal and testicular disorders are primarily associated with oxidative damage and inflammation. Here, alpha-pinene (a type of monoterpene) was investigated for its effect on oxidative/nitrosative stress and the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic factors in the kidneys and testes of rats treated with CCl۴.Materials and Methods: CCl۴ was injected intraperitoneally (IP) at a dose of ۲ ml/kg (twice a week for six weeks). Alpha-pinene (۵۰ mg/kg/day, IP) was also treated during the same period. Results: CCl۴ increased the level of malondialdehyde (P<۰.۰۱ in the kidney and P<۰.۰۰۱ in the testis) and nitric oxide (P<۰.۰۰۱ in the kidney and P<۰.۰۱ in the testis) and decreased the levels of glutathione (P<۰.۰۵) in the kidneys and testicles of rats. CCl۴ also reduced the catalase enzyme activity in the kidneys (P<۰.۰۵) but did not affect its activity in the testis. In addition, CCl۴ enhanced the mRNA expression of TNF-α (P<۰.۰۱), nuclear factor-κB (P<۰.۰۵), and Bax (P<۰.۰۵ in the kidney and P<۰.۰۱ in the testis) and decreased the expression of Bcl-۲ (P<۰.۰۵) in both organs. Alpha-pinene prevented all the mentioned changes, but it did not influence the expression of Bcl-۲ in the kidneys of rats receiving CCl۴. Conclusion: Alpha-pinene may have the potential to prevent renal and testicular diseases by strengthening the antioxidant system in the kidneys and testis, and inhibiting oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis caused by CCl۴.

Keywords:

Alpha-pinene , bcl-۲-Associated X Protein , Inflammation , Kidney , Oxidative stress , Testis