Fullerene C 60 protects against 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA) induced-pancreatic damage via NF-κB and Nrf-2/HO-1 axis in rats

• Published in: Toxicology research (Cambridge) 2023-10, Vol.12 (5), p.954
• Main Authors: Beyaz, Seda, Aslan, Abdullah, Gok, Ozlem, Ozercan, Ibrahim Hanifi, Agca, Can Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2045-452X
• DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad092

The objective of this investigation was to investigate the protective effects of fullerene C nanoparticle against pancreatic damage experimentally induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA) in female rats. Fullerene C nanoparticle was administered to rats 5 times a week by oral gavage (o.g) at 1.7 mg/kg bw 7 days after DMBA administration. 60 Wistar albino female rats divided to four groups; Groups: (1) Control group: Fed with standard diet; (2) Fullerene C group: Fullerene C (1.7 mg/kg bw); (3) DMBA group: DMBA (45 mg/kg bw); (4) Fullerene C  + DMBA group: Fullerene C (1.7 mg/kg bw) and DMBA (45 mg/kg bw). Lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase activity (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels in pancreatic tissue were determined by spectrophotometer. Protein expression levels of p53, HO-1, p38-α (MAPK), Nrf-2, NF-κB and COX-2 in pancreatic tissue were determined by western blotting technique. In our findings, compared to the group given DMBA, MDA levels and p38-α, NF-κB and COX-2 levels decreased, CAT activity, GSH level, total protein density and p53, HO-1, Nrf-2 levels in the groups given fullerene C nanoparticle an increase in expression levels was observed. Our results showed that fullerene C nanoparticle may be more beneficial in preventing pancreatic damage.