Protective effect of modafinil in bisphenol A-induced lung injury in rats: roles of SIRT1-dependent signaling pathways.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used in manufacturing epoxy resins, polycarbonate plastics. We aimed to evaluate the possible protective effect of modafinil (MOD) in BPA-induced lung injury.

Materials and methods: Twenty-four adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control group, MOD group: rats received modafinil 10 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, BPA group: rats received Bisphenol A (500 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks, MOD/BPA group: rats received MOD+ BPA. We measured arterial blood gas (ABG), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NOx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interlukin-1b (IL-1b), Sirtuin type 1 (SIRT1), Keap1, Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), caspase-3 and forkhead-box transcription factor1 (FOXO1) levels, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), apoptotic Bcl-2-associated protein x (Bax) and anti-apoptotic B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl2) and Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression. Furthermore; histological changes, interlukin-6 (IL-6) immuno-expression were evaluated.

Results: BPA group showed significant increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), MDA, NOx, IL-1b, keap1 and FOXO1, caspase-3 levels; TNF-α and NF-Κb, Bax and HO-1 gene expression, IL-6 exhibited a notable rise in immune-expression in the alveolar wall cells, interstitial cells, and infiltrating inflammatory cells. Moreover; it showed toxic histological changes of marked lung injury. Meanwhile, there is a significant decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), TAC, SIRT1, Nrf2 levels, and Bcl2 gene expression. MOD showed a significant improvement in all parameters.

Conclusion: MOD possesses potent ameliorative effects against lung injury caused by BPA via reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory process, and apoptosis through regulation of SIRT1/Nrf2 and SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathways.