Cross-Regulation between Autophagy and Apoptosis Induced by Vitamin E and Lactobacillus Plantarum through Beclin-1 Network.

Autophagy and apoptosis are two important regulatory mechanisms for how the body can respond to diseases. This study was designed to investigate the protective actions of vitamin E (Vit-E) and lactobacillus plantarum (Lac-B) against mercuric chloride (HgCl)-induced kidney injury. Thirty albino rats were divided into five groups: group 1 served as the normal group; rats in group 2 received high doses of HgCl; rats in groups 3, 4 and 5 were given Vit-E, Lac-B and the combination of Vit-E and Lac-B, respectively along with HgCl for two weeks.