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Effect of Methylsulfonylmethane on Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung and Liver Injury in Mice

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Abstract

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural organosulfur compound that exhibits antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of MSM on paraquat (PQ)-induced acute lung and liver injury in mice. A single dose of PQ (50 mg/kg, i.p.) induced acute lung and liver toxicity. Mice were treated with MSM (500 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 5 days. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized, and lung and liver tissues were collected for histological and biochemical analysis. Tissue samples were used to determine malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. Blood samples were used to measure plasma alanine transaminase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Histological examination indicated that MSM decreased lung and liver damage caused by PQ. Biochemical results showed that MSM treatment significantly reduced tissue levels of MDA, MPO, and TNF-α, while increased the levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH compared with PQ group. MSM treatment also significantly reduced plasma levels of ALT, GGT, and ALP. These findings suggest that MSM as a natural product attenuates PQ-induced pulmonary and hepatic oxidative injury.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from Vice Chancellor of Research of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. We also wish to thank Dr. AR Khalili for technical assistance in histological analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 5618953141, Ardabil, Iran

    Keyvan Amirshahrokhi & Shahab Bohlooli

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  1. Keyvan Amirshahrokhi
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  2. Shahab Bohlooli
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Correspondence to Keyvan Amirshahrokhi.

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Amirshahrokhi, K., Bohlooli, S. Effect of Methylsulfonylmethane on Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung and Liver Injury in Mice. Inflammation 36, 1111–1121 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-013-9645-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-013-9645-8

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