Determination of plasma concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in pet cats and dogs.

The aim of this study was the determination of plasma concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in cats and dogs and evaluation of their prevalence and possible effects. The concentrations of nine OCPs, such as α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), ß-HCH, γ-HCH, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (2,4'-DDT), 4,4'-DDT, 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (2,4'-DDE) and 4,4'-DDE and 16 PCBs (PCB-28, -52, -70, -74, -81, -99, -101, -118, -138, -153, -156, -170, -180, -183, -187 and -208) were evaluated in the plasma samples of pet cats ( n = 15) and dogs ( n = 21). The concentrations of OCPs ranged from 1.12 ng g-1 lipid weight (lw) to 7.65 ng g-1 lw in cats and from 1.25 ng g-1 lw to 6.79 ng g-1 lw in dogs. In addition, mean PCB levels were 0.58-5.66 and 0.52-6.62 ng g-1 lw in cats and dogs, respectively. ß-HCH, γ-HCH and PCB-138 levels were significantly higher in dogs ( p < 0.05). As far as could be determined, OCPs and PCBs were detected in the plasma samples of domestic cats and dogs in Turkey for the first time. Their concentrations were similar to those reported in earlier studies abroad. However, in contrast to other research, the levels of some OCPs were higher in dogs than in cats. It is concluded that, because of their high prevalence and potential health effects in animals and humans, OCP and PCB levels should be monitored systematically in domestic cats and dogs.

Subacute oral toxicity of combinations of selected synthetic pyrethroids, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats.

In this study, 70 Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven equal groups (six experimental and one control), which consisted of animals belonging to both sexes. Different combinations of insecticides were administered daily to the experimental groups (group 1: cypermethrin + piperonyl butoxide (PBO); group 2: alphacypermethrin + PBO; group 3: deltamethrin + PBO; group 4: cypermethrin + PBO + tetramethrin; group 5: alphacypermethrin + PBO + tetramethrin; and group 6: deltamethrin + PBO + tetramethrin) for 28 days. During the study period, mortality and serious clinical findings were not observed in any animal. However, feed consumptions decreased in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.05). Red blood cells, white blood cells, and hemoglobin levels, especially in cypermethrin and alphacypermethrin groups (groups 1, 2, and 4), were found to be higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, biochemical changes related to liver, kidney functions, and protein metabolism occurred in males of almost all the groups. Relative liver and kidney weights of the male animals increased in the cypermethrin and alphacypermethrin groups (p < 0.05). The most common finding observed during the histopathological examination of all the experimental groups was centrilobular degeneration in the liver. It was concluded that although clinical symptoms were not observed, synthetic pyrethroid, synergist, and knockdown agent combinations might cause serious abnormalities when administered in certain doses in mammalians.

Evaluating biogenic amines and pH levels in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for freshness assessment during storage.

This study examined the production of eight key biogenic amines (methylamine, tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine) in 120 samples of farmed rainbow trout during various storage conditions, and determined any accompanying variations in pH. The main objective of this study was to identify which of the eight biogenic amines could be used as chemical markers to evaluate the quality of farmed rainbow trout. Histamine and tryptamine were not present in any of the samples, and the levels of cadaverine were inconsistent. The levels of putrescine significantly increased at 0 °C (by day 9), 2 °C (by day 8), and 4 °C (by day 4). Tyramine, spermidine, and spermine levels exhibited fluctuations but had a significant positive correlation with the levels of putrescine. The pH levels slightly increased from their initial values across all storage temperatures, with no significant variations observed. Based on the results, it can be concluded that putrescine may serve as an effective marker of the freshness of farmed rainbow trout during storage.

Seasonal variation of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticide levels of sea and cultured farm fish in the Samsun region of Turkey.

The concentrations of selected Organochlorine (OC) pesticides (α-HCH, ß-HCH, γ-HCH, HCB, aldrin, 2,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDE, 2,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDT) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (28, 70, 74, 81, 99, 101, 105, 118, 128, 138, 153, 156, 170, 180, 183, 187) were measured in two species of cultured freshwater fish (rainbow trout, Oncornhychus mykiss and catfish, Silurus glanis) and two kinds of sea fish (mullet, Mugil cephalus and salmon, Salmo salar) between March 2008 and June 2009 in order to evaluate the status, seasonal changes and potential sources of pollution in the Samsun region of Turkey. Concentrations of total PCBs ranged from 17.6 to 335 ng/g in rainbow trout, 1,063 to 3,234 ng/g in mullet, 21 to 1,887 ng/g in salmon and 108 to 1,172 ng/g lipid in catfish and total OC pesticide concentrations ranged from 303 to 473, 319 to 6,158, 101 to 249 and 34 to 6,069 ng/g lipid in rainbow trout, mullet, salmon and catfish, respectively. It is concluded that the levels of persistent organic pollutants should be monitored regularly and rigorously by the appropriate government agency, with mandatory public reporting.

The effects of dexketoprofen on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) may cause irreversible damage to tissues and organs. We evaluated the effects of dexketoprofen on a renal I/R model in rats. METHODS: The study included 30 male rats. Control group received 1 mL of saline. Dexketoprofen group received 1 mL (25 mg) of dexketoprofen intraperitoneally. After 60 minutes renal ischemia, 23 hours reperfusion was applied. In Sham group, laparotomy was performed with a medial line incision without any additional procedure. Changes in the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), renal tissue MDA, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), BUN, creatinine and albumin levels, and histopathological changes were evaluated. RESULTS: CAT values were significantly lower in Control as compared with the Sham group. Plasma levels of MDA in the Control group were significantly higher than in the Dexketoprofen group. BUN and creatinine values were significantly higher in the Dexketoprofen group. The severity of tissue injury in the Dexketoprofen group was significantly higher than in Control and Sham groups CONCLUSION: Although dexketoprofen reduces the I/R-induced systemic inflammation, it increases renal tissue damage.

Organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyls levels in fish and mussel in Van region, Turkey.

Forty-seven fish (24 endemic Alburnus tarichi, Güldenstädt, 1814; 8 Capoeta capoeta, Guldenstaedt, 1772; 15 mirror carp Cyprinus carpio, L., 1758) and 13 mussel (Unio stevenianus, Krynicki, 1837) samples, with 10 specimens per sample, were collected from Van Lake, Turkey, and rivers flowing into it. Gamma-HCH was detected in 21 Alburnus tarichi samples (56.57 ng/g ± 22.18 ng/g) and in two Capoeta capoeta samples (27.6 ng/g and 36.45 ng/g). Beta-HCH was detected in 8 Alburnus tarichi samples (24.95 ng/g ± 4.42 ng/g) and in two mussel samples (101.25 ng/g and 129.44 ng/g). HCB was found in one Alburnus tarichi sample (14.4 ng/g) and one mussel sample (181.25 ng/g). The compound 4,4'-DDE was detected in 21 Alburnus tarichi samples (87.13 ng/g ± 32.23 ng/g), in 9 mirror carp samples (304.82 ng/g ± 100.76 ng/g) and one mussel sample (149.31 ng/g). PCB 28 was detected in one Alburnus tarichi (19.46 ng/g) sample and PCB 101 was found in one Capoeta capoeta (60.16 ng/g) sample. PCB 118 was detected in one mirror carp sample (277.5 ng/g) and in two Capoeta capoeta samples (43.77 and 54.38 ng/g). PCB 128 was detected in only one Capoeta capoeta sample (141.48 ng/g). It is concluded that (i) efforts should be made to reduce contamination of aquatic environments by these compounds and that (ii) their levels in fishery products from Van Lake and connected streams should be monitored and publicly reported on a regular basis.

Repeated-dose 14-day dermal toxicity of different combinations of some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeated-dose 14-day dermal toxicity of different combinations of some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, piperonyl butoxide, and tetramethrin in rats. A total of 70 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 (6 experimental and 1 control) groups. Different combinations of insecticides were dermally applied to the rats in the experimental groups for 14 days. Clinical observations were performed daily; hematologic and biochemical parameters were also determined. Gross necropsy and histopathologic examinations were performed systematically, and organ weights were recorded. Although the administered doses of the insecticides were relatively lower than their acute dermal toxicity values, a high mortality rate (27 of 60 experimental animals, 45%) was observed. Furthermore, the insecticide combinations caused decreased body weights and feed consumptions, increased organ weights, and hematologic, biochemical, and common histopathologic changes. As a result, the findings showed that although pyrethroids are considered to be of low acute toxicity, they become more toxic when combined with piperonyl butoxide or tetramethrin in certain doses.

Organophosphorus insecticide residues in honey produced in Turkey.

In this study, a number of 15 organophoshorus (OP) insecticides were investigated in 275 honey samples in 33 different cities of Turkey, using gas chromatography electron capture detector. The limit of determination values was detected between 0.25 and 9.55 ng g(-1). The correlation coefficients obtained from calibration curves of the OP standards were found to be between 0.992 and 0.999. No insecticide residue was detected in the samples analyzed. This result is highly significant because of its impacts on public health and food safety.

An evaluation of the levels of organochlorine compounds (OCPs and PCBs) in cultured freshwater and wild sea fish eggs as an exposure biomarker for environmental contamination.

In this study, the eggs of 30 wild Black Sea whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus, Nordmann, 1840) and 30 farmed freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792) collected from Samsun Province in Turkey were analyzed to determine the level of contamination by nine organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), namely α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH), ß-HCH, γ-HCH (lindane), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 4,4'-DDT, 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), 4,4'-DDE, and 15 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (PCB-28, -70, -74, -81, -99, -101, -118, -138, -153, -156, -170, -180, -183, -187, and -208), and their potential use as biomarkers to monitor levels of environmental contamination. OCPs and PCBs in the fat of fish eggs were extracted cryogenically and their concentrations were determined with a gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The whiting eggs showed high OCP and PCB levels compared to the rainbow trout eggs. The median ∑ DDT values for whiting and rainbow trout eggs were 1601.62 ng g-1 fat (range 824.87-5049.81) and 406.49 ng g-1 fat (range 199.88-588.82); median ∑Indicator PCBs were 1264.24 ng g-1 fat (range 520.05-6140.32) and 82.11 ng g-1 fat (range 2.85-215.97); and median ∑ HCHs were 155.66 ng g-1 fat (range 35.45-330.40) and 13.48 ng g-1 fat (range 4.44-66.44), respectively. In the whiting eggs, the ∑Indicator PCB level was above the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 200 ng g-1 fat stated in the European Commission Regulation (EC) and Turkish Food Codex (TFC). In addition, there was a significant difference between the contamination levels of the eggs of the two species. In conclusion, it appears that fish eggs can serve as a valuable biomarker for the level of contamination of persistent organochlorine contaminants in different aquatic environments.

Persistent Organic Chlorinated Compound Residues in the Breast Milk of Female Seasonal Agricultural Workers.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective descriptive study aimed to investigate organochlorine compounds in women who breastfeed and work as a seasonal agricultural worker (SAW). METHODS: It was carried out on 100 woman working as SAW. Data were collected with a questionnaire by face-to-face interview and analyzed the residues of 27 items of organochlorine pesticides, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls, from persistent organic pollutants in mothers' 50 mL breast milk. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and correlation analysis were used to evaluate data. RESULTS: Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)28 component was determined in almost all women's milk and more than half of collected milk contained beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), PCB52, pp'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), PCB70, pp'- dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) ve Gamma HCH, respectively. CONCLUSION: It was recommended that necessary legal regulations and public information policy about that subject should exist.

Organochlorine compounds in the adipose tissue of urban and rural women who gave birth by cesarean delivery in northern Turkey.

In this study, the levels of a group of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the adipose tissue of women living in northern Turkey who gave birth by cesarean delivery were investigated. Sixty subcutaneous samples were collected in 2013 from women in urban (30) and rural (30) areas. The levels of nine OCPs, namely α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), ß-HCH (lindane), γ-HCH, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), 4,4'-DDE, 2,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDT, and 16 PCBs, PCB-28, -52, -70, -74, -81, -99, -101, -118, -138, -153, -156, -170, -180, -183, -187 and -208, were investigated with a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). ß-HCH was detected in nine samples (mean 23.70 ± 4.24 ng g-1 of fat) and γ-HCH was detected in six samples (mean 41.88 ± 12.41 ng g-1 of fat). HCB was detected in five samples (mean 30.97 ± 14.31 ng g-1 of fat), 2,4'-DDT in one sample (5 ng g-1 of fat), 4,4-DDT in two samples (mean 6.70 ± 0.42 ng g-1 of fat), 2,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene in three samples (mean 6.27 ± 0.42 ng g-1 of fat), PCB-28 in six samples (mean 10.03 ± 7.79 ng g-1 of fat), PCB-81 in one sample (7.60 ng g-1 of fat) and PCB-118 in one sample (10.20 ng g-1 of fat). In total, organochlorine compounds were detected in 12 (40%) of rural and 12 (40%) of urban women. These results are an indication of the level of organochlorine compounds in the environment where the subjects of the study lived.

Telbivudine attenuates gentamicin-induced kidney injury in rats.

Nephrotoxicity has been associated with nucleos(t)ide analogues other than telbivudine (LdT). This study investigated the potential effects of LdT and lamivudine (LAM) on renal function in an experimental rat model of gentamicin-induced acute nephrotoxicity. A total of 28 healthy Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: negative control; positive control (PC); LdT; and LAM. Nephrotoxicity was induced by gentamicin in the LdT, LAM and PC groups. LdT and LAM were administered to two groups for 6 weeks starting on the ninth day. Blood samples were collected weekly and cystatin C levels were measured by ELISA. Animals were sacrificed on the 50th day and the kidneys were removed for histological examination. Serum cystatin C levels differed significantly between the LdT and LAM groups (P <0.007) and between the LdT and PC groups (P <0.001). Renal function was significantly improved in the LdT group at the start of antiviral treatment on Day 8 and at the end of treatment on Day 50 (P = 0.001 and 0.007). Glomerular injury, acute tubular necrosis and total injury score were significantly reduced in the LdT group relative to the PC and LAM groups upon histopathological examination. LdT was associated with significant improvements in renal function as measured by biochemical and histopathological methods. The acute kidney injury model data should be supported by clinical studies to suggest that LdT treatment may have advantages for patients with underlying chronic kidney disease receiving chronic hepatitis B treatment.