Journal of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (Dec 2023)
Effect of Menthol on SFRP1 Expression Level and HIF-1α/VEGF Signaling in Diethylnitrosamine-induced Kidney Damage in Male Mice
Abstract
Background: Many scientific Researches have shown that diethylnitrosamine, which is used to induce liver carcinoma, has destructive effects on the kidney. Menthol is a monoterpene type with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. In the current study, we investigated the effect of menthol on the expression of tumor-related factors and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling in the kidney cells of mice receiving diethylnitrosamine. Methods: In this research, 16 male mice at the age of 14 days were divided into four groups including Control, Menthol, Nitrosamine, and Nitrosamine-Menthol groups. Nitrosamine and Nitrosamine-Menthol groups received diethyl-nitrosamine intraperitoneally (25 mg/kg) at the age of 14 days. Menthol and Nitrosamine-Menthol groups also received menthol by gavage (50 mg/kg) three times a week for 6 consecutive months. At the end of this period, the expression level of SFRP1, VHL, CTNNB1, HIF-1α, and VEGF in the kidney cells was measured using real-time PCR method. Results: Menthol treatment caused a significant increase in the expression level of SFRP1 (P=0.021) and VHL (P=0.013) and a significant decrease in the expression level of CTNNB1 (P=0.001), HIF-1α (P=0.000) and VEGF (P=0.000) in the kidney cells of Nitrosamine-Menthol treated group compared to the Nitrosamine group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that menthol prevents the decrease in the expression of tumor suppressor factors and the increase in the expression of tumor stimulating factors and factors effective in angiogenesis in the kidney of mice treated with diethyl-nitrosamine, so menthol is probably useful in prevention and treatment of renal cancer.
