Evaluation of metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9 expression in liver of male wistar rats exposure to Lead and N-acetylcysteine

Subject Areas : Molecular detection of biochemical and genetic markers

Najmeh  Ranji ¹ (Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Rasht branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.)
Hadi  Habibollahi ² (Department Of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran)
Reihaneh  Kochakinegad ³ (Department Of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Rasht Branch, IslamicAzad University, Rasht, Iran)
Eisa  Vefghi ⁴ (Alborz Pathobiology laboratory, Rasht, Iran)
Mohammad Mahdi  Jafarzadeh ⁵ (Department Of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Rasht Branch, IslamicAzad University, Rasht, Iran)

Received: 2023-06-15 Accepted : 2023-09-30 Published : 2024-02-20

Keywords: : Liver, MMP2, MMP9, N-acetylcysteine, Pb, Rat. ,

Abstract :

Background & Aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as MMP2 and MMP9 degrade extracellular matrix. Lead (Pb) is a well-known environmental contaminant which could impair the activity of MMPs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine, as an antioxidant, on the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 genes in the liver of rats exposed with Pb. Materials & Methods: In this study, the 30 male rats were randomly divided into five groups(n=6): 1) control, 2) acute dose of Pb (70 mg/kg), 3) acute dose of Pb (70 mg/kg) + continuous administration of NAC (50 mg/kg), 4) chronic dose of Pb (2 mg/kg), and 5) chronic dose of Pb (2 mg/kg) + continuous administration of NAC (50 mg/kg). Acute dose of Pb was administrated on the first day of study and chronic dose of Pb and Continuous administration of NAC was used every day for 4 weeks as gavage. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to study histopathological changes. The expression of MMP2 and MMP9 genes was evaluated using Quantitative RT-PCR Results: In the liver of rats exposed with Lead (Pb) especially at chronic dose, was observed structural abnormality and increased inflammatory. Q-RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of MMP2a and MMP9 genes increased in Pb exposed liver and decreased in NAC administrated liver after Pb exposure. Conclusion: Our results suggest that NAC can protect the liver of rats through downregulation of metalloproteinases after Pb exposure and decrease inflammation and tissue damage.

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