Noise-Induced Hepatic Stress Is Associated with Transglutaminase Activation and TG7 Upregulation in Rats

Environmental noise is increasingly recognized as a systemic stressor capable of inducing oxidative and inflammatory responses beyond the auditory system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic noise exposure on transglutaminase (TG) activation, particularly TG7, and its association with hepatic stress responses in rat liver tissue.

Thirty adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to control, short-term noise exposure (LT1), and long-term noise exposure (LT2) groups. Gene expression of TG isoforms (TG1, TG2, TG3, TG6, and TG7), inflammatory markers (IL6 and TNF-α), and apoptotic markers (CASP3 and P53) was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Total TG enzymatic activity was assessed colorimetrically. TG7 protein expression and localization were examined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. DNA integrity was evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Biochemical parameters, including serum malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1 beta (IL1β), cortisone, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol, were also measured.

Noise exposure induced selective upregulation of TG isoforms, with TG7 showing the highest increase (∼10-12-fold). Total transglutaminase enzymatic activity was significantly increased in both noise-exposed groups, with a higher increase in LT1 (*** P < 0.001) and a significant increase in LT2 (** P < 0.01) compared with control, while no significant difference was observed between LT1 and LT2. IL6 and TNF-α increased progressively, particularly in LT2, whereas CASP3 expression was elevated in LT1 but reduced in LT2. DNA analysis revealed mild alterations in genomic integrity without clear internucleosomal fragmentation. TG7 protein showed strong localization within hepatocyte cytoplasm and perisinusoidal regions. Biochemical analysis demonstrated significant increases in MDA (up to 61.28%), IL1β, cortisone, liver enzymes, glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol.

Chronic noise exposure induces early TG activation, particularly TG7, accompanied by sustained oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in liver tissue. These findings identify TG7 as a potential stress-responsive mediator in noise-induced hepatic injury.