Chitosan-Based Taurine Nanoparticles Alleviate Dexamethasone-Induced Pulmonary-Thyroid Axis Dysfunction via...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Nanomedicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Dexamethasone causes systemic toxicity, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and organ damage.
• Taurine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but its effectiveness is limited by poor bioavailability.
• Nanoparticle drug delivery can enhance the stability and tissue targeting of therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the protective effects of taurine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Tau-CS NPs) against dexamethasone-induced tissue injury in rats.
• To compare the efficacy of Tau-CS NPs with free taurine and silymarin in mitigating dexamethasone toxicity.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of Tau-CS NPs using TEM, UV-vis, and FTIR.
• Assessment of encapsulation efficiency and drug loading.
• Evaluation of hematological parameters, oxidative stress markers, thyroid hormones, protein profiles, and histopathology in rat models.

Main Results:

• Tau-CS NPs exhibited uniform spherical morphology with high encapsulation efficiency (98.2%) and drug loading (50.36%).
• Dexamethasone induced significant hematological, oxidative, thyroidal, and histological damage.
• Tau-CS NPs significantly restored normal physiological parameters and tissue architecture, outperforming free taurine and silymarin.

Conclusions:

• Taurine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles effectively mitigate dexamethasone-induced systemic and organ-specific toxicity.
• Nanoparticle formulation enhances taurine's bioavailability and targeted delivery, demonstrating significant therapeutic potential.
• Tau-CS NPs represent a promising strategy for managing corticosteroid-induced side effects.