The Effect of Crocin on the Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 Genes in the Liver Tissue of Cadmium-Treated Rats: A Short Report
F. Kasaeezadeh[1], N. Asghari-Moghaddam[2], S. Shahla[3]
Received:19/09/2020 Sent for Revision: 04/10/2020 Received Revised Manuscript:24/10/2020 Accepted:04/11/2020
Background and Objectives: One of the causes of liver cancer is the heavy metal cadmium. Crocin is a compound with antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of crocin on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9) genes in cadmium-induced liver cancer in rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control; Crocin (15 mg/kg); Cadmium (20 mg/kg); Crocin
±cadmium. After 8 weeks of daily treating by gavage, the liver tissue was removed to evaluate gene expression by Real-Time PCR. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA.
Results: The results revealed that cadmium consumption increases the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 genes in the liver tissue (p<0.001). Crocin significantly reduced the expression of both genes in the liver tissue (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Crocin can reduce the raising effect of cadmium on the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in the liver tissue.
Key words: Liver, Cadmium, Crocin, MMP2, MMP9
Funding: This manuscript did not have any funds
Conflict of interest: None declared
Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Tehran Science and Research branch of Islamic Azad University approved the study (IR.IAU.SRB.REC.1397.029)
How to cite this article: Kasaeezadeh F, Asghari-Moghaddam N, Shahla S. The Effect of Crocin on the Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 Genes in the Liver Tissue of Cadmium-Treated Rats: A Short Report.
J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2021; 19 (10): 1123-30. [Farsi]
[1]- MSc in Genetics, Dept. of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran, ORCID: 0000-0001-6332-5038
[2]- Assistant Prof., Dept. of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran, ORCID: 0000-0002-6553-7875
(Corresponding Author) Tel: (021 )44600184, Fax: (021) 44600184, E-mail: nas.asgharimoghaddam@iauctb.ac.ir
[3]- Assistant Prof., Dept. of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
ORCID: 0000-0001-9884-214X