Alterations of Genes Involved in Apoptosis and Epigenetic Modulation Associated with Gatifloxacin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Liver
Solomon Oladapo Rotimi, Iyanuoluwa Temitayo Olugbemi and Oluwakemi Anuoluwapo RotimiBiochemistry of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research Laboratory, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author E-mail: Ola.rotimi@covenantuniversity.edu.ng
Abstract: Gatifloxacin is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone that induces oxidative stress in the liver. Hence, this study investigated the alterations in the expression of genes involved in epigenetics and apoptosis associated with gatifloxacin-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. To achieve this, adult rats were exposed to oral doses (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg) of gatifloxacin for five days. Thereafter, biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed spectrophotometrically while the levels of expression of Bcl2l1, caspases 3, 8 and 9 as well as Dnmt1, Hdac5, Prdm2, Eid3, Suv39h1 and Ehmt2 were assessed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique. The results showed that the hepatic oxidative stress was associated with increase in the expression of proapoptotic genes. Also, gatifloxacin resulted in significant (p < 0.05) upregulation of genes involved in DNA and histone methylation. These alterations observed at the lowest dose of 10 mg/kg showed that gatifloxacin exposure could induce hepatic apoptosis and epigenetic changes.
Keywords: Apoptosis Word; Epigenetics; Gatifloxacin; Oxidative Stress; Back to TOC