Role of r-irisin in Nicotine-induced Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction in BALB/c mice.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the protective role of irisin in attenuating nicotine-induced oxidative stress in vascular tissue in mice.

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2019 to June 2020.

METHODOLOGY

Thirty healthy BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was control, group II received nicotine 2 mg/Kg body weight intraperitoneally for 28 days, and group III, in addition, received r-irisin 0.5 μg/g body weight /day via tail vein, for the last 14 days. The tissue anti-oxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GR) and lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) were estimated. Aortic endothelium was analysed for atherosclerotic changes. The significant difference across groups was calculated using ANOVA.

RESULTS

Group II showed statistically significant increase in lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) levels (1059.04±32.31 ng/ml, p<0.001) and reduction in anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT and GR) levels (5479.24±25.38 pg/ml, 11.51±0.24 ng/ml and 1924.88±31.23 ng/ml, p<0.001) in aortic tissue homogenate as compared to group I. In Group III, with co- administration of r-irisin, significant improvement in antioxidant enzymes i.e. SOD, CAT, and GR levels (7958.70±110.54 pg/ml, 20.86±0.57 ng/ml, and 2897.18±52.93 ng/ml) and reduction in TBARS levels (239.14±19.90 ng/ml) was observed as compared to Group II (p<0.001). Endothelial damage manifested to type IV on histological examination. Co-administration of r-irisin in group III showed significant improvement in histological grading (only Type I and II lesions were seen).

CONCLUSION

Exogenous administration of irisin improves anti-oxidant enzyme levels, ameliorates nicotine-induced oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction in the BALB/c mice.

KEY WORDS

Irisin/FNDC-5, Oxidative stress, Anti-oxidant enzymes, Endothelial dysfunction, Atherosclerosis.