A new approach of nano-metformin as a protector against radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis and inflammation via CXCL1/TGF-Β pathway

• Published in: Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology Vol. 397; no. 9; pp. 6919 - 6927
• Main Authors: Karam, Heba M., Lotfy, Dina M., A. Ibrahim, Ayman, Mosallam, Farag M., Abdelrahman, Sahar S., Abd-ElRaouf, Amira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 09.04.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: AKT protein; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Fibrosis; Growth factors; Heart; Inflammation; Insulin-like growth factors; Kinases; Lethal dose; Metformin; Nanoparticles; Neurosciences; NF-κB protein; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Platelet-derived growth factor; Radiation; Radiation therapy; Transforming growth factor-b; Troponin; γ Radiation; Nano-metformin; NF-κB; Troponin; TGF; CXCL1; Gamma radiation
• ISSN: 0028-1298; 1432-1912; 1432-1912
• DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03052-4

The present work investigates the potential role of metformin nanoparticles (MTF-NPs) as a radio-protector against cardiac fibrosis and inflammation induced by gamma radiation via CXCL1/TGF-β pathway. Lethal dose fifty of nano-metformin was determined in mice, then 21 rats (male albino) were equally divided into three groups: normal control (G1), irradiated control (G2), and MTF-NPs + IRR (G3). The possible protective effect of MTF-NPs is illustrated via decreasing cardiac contents of troponin, C-X-C motif Ligand 1 (CXCL1), tumor growth factor β (TGF-β), protein kinase B (AKT), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Also, the positive effect of MTF-NPs on insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in heart tissues using immunohistochemical technique is illustrated in the present study. Histopathological examination emphasizes the biochemical findings. The current investigation suggests that MTF-NPs might be considered as a potent novel treatment for the management of cardiac fibrosis and inflammation in patients who receive radiotherapy or workers who may be exposed to gamma radiation. Graphical Abstract