Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter
sphaeroides (LPS-RS) against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in experimental rats.
The study involved an intact control group, LPS-RS group, two groups were given ethanol (3 and
5 g/kg/day) for 28 days, and two other groups (LPS-RS + 3 g/kg ethanol) and (LPS-RS + 5 g/kg
ethanol) received a daily dose of LPS-RS (800 µg/kg) before ethanol. Ethanol significantly increased
the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the liver tissue and decreased anti-oxidant
enzymes. Hepcidin expression was downregulated in the liver, with increased serum levels of ferritin
and iron. Prior-administration of LPS-RS alleviated the increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory
markers, and preserved iron homeostasis markers. In the kidney, administration of ethanol caused
significant increase in the expression of NF-κB and the levels of TNF-α and kidney injury markers;
whereas LPS-RS + ethanol groups had significantly lower levels of those parameters. In conclusion;
this study reports anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and iron homeostasis regulatory effects of the
toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist LPS-RS against ethanol induced toxicity in both the liver and
the kidney of experimental rats.
