Naringenin modulates Cobalt activities on gut motility through mechanosensors and serotonin signalling

Abstract

Introduction

Cobalt chloride-(CoCl₂) exerts beneficial and toxic activities depending on dose however Naringenin-(Nar) a flavonoid, chelates heavy metals. Absorption of ingested heavy metals, or chelates are dependent on gut motility (gastric emptying and intestinal transit time) and mechanosensor regulation. Literature is vague on CoCl₂ activities on gut motility and mechanosensor nor probable chelating actions with naringenin which was investigated in this study.

Method

One hundred male Wistar rats were grouped viz; A to D (25, 62, 150 and 300 mg/kg CoCl₂), E to H doses of CoCl₂+Nar (50 mg/kg), I-Narigenin and J-Control. Gastric emptying and intestinal transit time were evaluated by day eight, intestinal tissue assayed for biochemical, histological and immunohistochemistry reactivity.

Result

CoCl₂ significantly increased Gastric emptying (150 and 300 mg/kg) and Intestinal transit time unlike Naringenin. CoCl₂ (150 mg/kg) significantly increased Catalase and Nitric oxide but ameliorated by Naringenin. ATPase activities significantly increased in 150 mg/kg-CoCl₂ but ameliorated by Naringenin. Carbonyl levels increased in all CoCl₂+Nar groups. High Enterochromaffin-cell count in 25 and 62 mg/kg-CoCl₂ were ameliorated by Naringenin. Serotonin immunoreactivity increased in CoCl₂ (25, 62, 300 mg/kg) but reduced in CoCl₂+Nar groups.

Conclusion

Cobalt chloride enhanced gastric motility via increased mechanosensor activities and serotonin expression at low doses. Naringenin ameliorated toxicity of high cobalt chloride via metal-flavonoid chelates.

Keywords:

• Cobalt chloride
• Naringenin
• gastric emptying
• intestinal transit time
• enterochromaffin cells
• serotonin expression

Acknowledgements

The authors of this work are grateful to Mr. Ifeoluwa T. Ajayi of Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan for his assistance as regards the special histology staining, counting and interpretation of the intestinal enterochromaffin cells. Dr. Oluwasanmi O. Aina of Veterinary Anatomy Department University of Ibadan, for the use of his digital camera microscope in analysis and quantifying of serotonin immunohistological reactivity as well as villi morphometric capturing. Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Ajani for their financial gift towards serotonin antibody purchase.

Disclosure statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Data availability statement

Data will be supplied based on request.