Lutein protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat skeletal muscle by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation

Background: Lutein is an antioxidant compound with potential biological effects. The present study investigated the protective role of Lutein against I/R injury in skeletal muscle. Methods: Animals were divided into three groups. Group I - sham operated; Group II-IR injury-Hind limb ischemia was induced by clamping the common femoral artery and vein. After 4 h of ischemia, the clamp was removed and the animals underwent 2 h of reperfusion. Group III-Lutein + IR injury-Rats with Lutein treatment received intraperitoneal injection 1 h before reperfusion. The skeletal tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress parameters ( reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and sulfhydryls, lipid peroxidation). Antioxidant status was determined by evaluating Nrf-2 levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. The inflammatory mechanism was determined through NF-kappa B and COX-2 expressions. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. Results: The results showed that Lutein treatment significantly decreased the oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and sulphydryls, lipid peroxidation. Further, the levels of Nrf-2 and antioxidant status was significantly declined during IR injury compared to sham operated rats. Lutein treatment reduced the oxidative stress by enhancing Nrf-2 levels and antioxidant status. Skeletal IR injury enhanced the inflammatory signaling by up regulating NF-kappa B, COX-2 and various pro-inflammatory cytokines. NF-kappa B, COX-2 expressions were down regulated by Lutein treatment. Conclusion: The study shows that Lutein protects against skeletal IR injury by down regulating oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanisms.