Abstract
Background and Objective: Aluminum and its compounds like aluminum oxide (Al2O3) are common contaminants of water and food as well as medications and cosmetics. Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is an endogenous dipeptide made up of amino acids, beta-alanine and histidine. The current study aimed to elucidate oxidative injury of nanoalumina (nanoparticles of aluminium oxide, Al2O3-NPs) with a diameter <14 nm (9.43 +/- 1.10 nm) and the ameliorative role of carnosine. This study investigated the protective effects of carnosine against Al2O3-NPs induced hepatotoxicity and testicular injury. Materials and Methods: Male rats were divided into four groups and were treated intraperitoneally for 4 weeks:1st group control group given physiological saline (1 mL kg(-1)),2nd group received aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) in a dose (6.4 g kg(-1)), 3rd group was given carnosine (Car) (100 mg kg-1), 4th group received Al2O3-NPs+Car and was given the same dose of AAl(2)O(3)-NPs and followed by Car. The characterization of Al2O3-NPs were characterized by TEM. At the end of the experiment, some biochemical parameters were measured as TNF-alpha, alpha-FP, IL-2, IL-6, antioxidant capacities markers CAT, SOD, GPx, MPo, XO and thiol level and reproductive indices as 8-OHDG with histological, comet assay and TEM examination of liver tissues. Results: Al2O3-NPs induced significantelevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and induced alteration in biochemical parameters in liver and testis, Al2O3-NPs induced elevation in liver enzymes ALT and AST but using of carnosine significantly decreased liver enzymes as compared toAl(2)O(3)-NPs group. Carnosine exhibited lipid peroxidation and repaired the antioxidant defense deficits (glutathione reduced, superoxide dismutase and catalase) in liver and testis tissues due to aluminum oxide nanoparticles treatment. There was an increase in hepatic myeloperoxidase following aluminum oxide nanoparticles exposure that were markedly mitigated by carnosine. Additionally, carnosine improved aluminum oxide nanoparticles-afforded liver and testicular tissue damage significantly as confirmed by microscopic studies in both liver and testis in group treated with combination of carnosine and aluminum oxide nanoparticles in comparison with aluminum oxide nanoparticles treated group alone. Conclusion: Carnosine was observed to be a potential nominee to protect the liver and testis versus the harmful effect of aluminum oxide nanoparticles toxicity and using of carnosine reduces the oxidative stress and biochemical alterations induced by Al2O3-NPs treatment.