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Journals / Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 28 Issue: 2

Histopathology and NF-κB/Caspase-3 Expression in High Fructose Corn Syrup–Induced Lung Injury: Protective Effect of Dexpanthenol

Şerife Taşan(Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology)0000-0002-1469-3464
Rahime Aslankoç(Süleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology)0000-0001-9516-0864
Cahide Aslan(Süleyman Demirel University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology)0000-0001-6941-834X
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-08-21
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

DEXP exerts strong histoprotective and immunomodulatory actions, suggesting potential therapeutic value against HFCS-induced pulmonary injury.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been associated with metabolic and inflammatory disturbances, including pulmonary inflammatory injury.
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Key Findings & Data:HFCS (30%) was provided in drinking water for 8 weeks.
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Conclusion & Impact:DEXP exerts strong histoprotective and immunomodulatory actions, suggesting potential therapeutic value against HFCS-induced pulmonary injury.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:High fructose corn syrup · dexpanthenol · lung injury

Abstract

Aim: High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been associated with metabolic and inflammatory disturbances, including pulmonary inflammatory injury. Due to its known anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective properties, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of dexpanthenol (DEXP) against HFCS-induced structural and molecular lung damage in rat lungs. Material and Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were allocated at random into four groups (Control, HFCS, HFCS+DEXP, DEXP). HFCS (30%) was provided in drinking water for 8 weeks. DEXP was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day for the last 2 weeks. Lung tissues were processed for hematoxylin–eosin and Picro Sirius Red staining. Hyperemia, edema, epithelial loss, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis were evaluated semi-quantitatively. The immunohistochemical expression of NF-κB and Caspase-3 was assessed as markers of inflammatory and apoptotic activities. Results: Exposure to HFCS produced alterations such as thickened alveolar walls, interstitial edema, vascular hyperemia, degeneration and loss of epithelial cells, accumulation of inflammatory cells, and early deposition of collagen compared with the control group. Histopathological scores for inflammation, edema, hyperemia, epithelial loss, and fibrosis were significantly increased in the HFCS group (p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.006, and p=0.011, respectively). In addition, NF-κB and Caspase-3 expression levels were significantly elevated in the HFCS group compared with the control group (p=0.001). DEXP treatment significantly reduced histopathological scores (p=0.001), as well as NF-κB and Caspase-3 expression levels compared with the HFCS group (p=0.001 and p=0.0018, respectively). In the DEXP-only group, lung morphology was preserved. Conclusion: Chronic ingestion of HFCS elicits prominent inflammatory, apoptotic, and fibrotic responses in rat lung tissue. DEXP exerts strong histoprotective and immunomodulatory actions, suggesting potential therapeutic value against HFCS-induced pulmonary injury.

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Cite This Article

Taşan, Ş., Aslankoç, R., Aslan, C. (2026). Histopathology and NF-κB/Caspase-3 Expression in High Fructose Corn Syrup–Induced Lung Injury: Protective Effect of Dexpanthenol. Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 28 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.18678/dtfd.1843989

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