Oxaliplatin-Induced Liver Toxicity: Hepatic Transglutaminase 7 Upregulation Associates with Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Transglutaminases (TGs) are calcium-dependent enzymes that cross-link proteins, contributing to apoptosis, extracellular matrix (ECM) stabilization, and inflammation. While TG2 has been extensively studied in hepatic injury, the role of TG7 in oxaliplatin-induced liver responses remains unclear. Oxaliplatin, a third-generation platinum chemotherapeutic, effectively treats solid tumors but can induce hepatic stress through oxidative and pro-inflammatory signaling. Adult rats received intraperitoneal oxaliplatin (10 mg/kg weekly) for 6 weeks. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and a TG activity assay assessed hepatic TG7 expression, localization, and activity. Oxidative stress indicators (serum malondialdehyde [MDA] and reduced glutathione [GSH]) and pro-inflammatory cytokine transcription (CASP3, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)) were evaluated. Oxaliplatin exposure markedly increased TG7 mRNA and protein levels, elevated TG enzymatic activity, raised MDA (+49.4%), depleted GSH (-18.6%), and upregulated CASP3, IL-6, and TNF-α. DNA fragmentation and microscopic observations from IHC- and IF-processed sections were consistent with apoptosis-associated DNA degradation and subtle stress-related structural variations. Immunostaining revealed altered TG7 distribution within hepatocytes and sinusoidal regions. In this oxaliplatin-exposed rat liver model, TG7 upregulation and increased TG activity were associated with oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine induction, and apoptotic signaling. These findings identify TG7 as a stress-associated marker during oxaliplatin exposure and support further studies to clarify its mechanistic role and evaluate its potential as utility as a biomarker under chemotherapy-associated hepatic stress conditions.