title: The effect of Pycnogenol on fluoride induced rat kidney lysosomal damage in vitro.
abstract: Pycnogenol (PYC) is a procyanidin-rich extract of the bark of French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) with a potent ability to scavenge free radicals. Lysosome-rich fractions from rat renal cortices were incubated with varying amounts of PYC and challenged with noxious doses of fl uoride. Controls were also included. The release of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) isozymes in the supernatant was estimated by spectrophotometric methods. The protein content of the renal cortex was also determined. Our results show that fluoride in unhealthy doses can cause a concentration dependent release of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) isozymes from the renal lysosomes. This may be related to its known ability to initiate free radical formation or direct damaging effects on the lysosomal membrane. As a blend of bio flavonoids pycnogenol has a potent ability to scavenge free radicals. In our study PYC was effective in preventing fluoride induced release of NAG isozymes from the renal lysosomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Arhima
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005459:Fluorides; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028223:Pinus; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; C024070:pycnogenols; D005459:Fluorides