Physiological and Neurobehavioral Disturbances Induced by Al2O3 Nanoparticle Intoxication in Nile Tilapia Fish: Benefits of Dietary Chamomile Essential Oil.

Despite the usage of nanoparticles (NPs) is rapidly increasing, several experts have noted the risk of their release into ecosystems and their potential negative impacts on biological systems. However, the available studies on the neurobehavioral impacts of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) on aquatic organisms are little. Hence, this study targeted to ascertain the harmful effects of Al2O3NPs on behavioral characteristics and genotoxic and oxidative damages in Nile tilapia fish. In addition, the beneficial role of chamomile essential oil (CEO) supplementation in reducing these effects was also investigated. In the current study, fish were distributed into 4 equal groups (n = 60 fish per group). The control group was fed a plain diet only, the CEO group received a basic diet complemented with CEO at a level of 2 mg/kg diet, the ALNP group received a basic diet and was exposed to an approximate concentration of 1/10th LC50 of ALNPs nearly 5.08 mg/L, and the combination group (ALNPs/CEO group) received a basal diet coadministered with ALNPs and CEO at the aforementioned percentages. The findings revealed that O. niloticus exhibit neurobehavioral changes along with changes in the level of GABA, monoamines in the brain tissue, and serum amino acid neurotransmitters, besides a reduction of AChE and Na+/K+-ATPase activities. In addition to brain tissue oxidative damage with upregulation of proinflammatory and stress genes, such as HSP70 and caspase-3, supplementation of CEO significantly reduced the negative impacts of ALNPs. These results showed that CEO has neuroprotective, antioxidant, genoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties in fish that have been exposed to ALNPs. Therefore, we advise its usage as a valuable addition to fish diet.

Benefits of Chlorella vulgaris against Cadmium Chloride-Induced Hepatic and Renal Toxicities via Restoring the Cellular Redox Homeostasis and Modulating Nrf2 and NF-KB Pathways in Male Rats.

In our life scenarios, we are involuntarily exposed to many heavy metals that are well-distributed in water, food, and air and have adverse health effects on animals and humans. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic 10 chemicals reported by The World Health Organization (WHO), affecting organ structure and function. In our present study, we use one of the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris (ChV, 500 mg/kg body weight) to investigate the beneficial effects against CdCl2-induced hepato-renal toxicity (Cd, 2 mg/kg body weight for 10 days) on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. In brief, 40 adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10); Control, ChV, Cd, and Cd + ChV. Cadmium alters liver and kidney architecture and disturbs the cellular signaling cascade, resulting in loss of body weight, alteration of the hematological picture, and increased ALT, AST, ALP, and urea in the blood serum. Moreover, cadmium puts hepatic and renal cells under oxidative stress due to the up-regulation of lipid peroxidation resulting in a significant increase in the IgG level as an innate immunity protection and induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and TNF-α) that causes hepatic hemorrhage, irregular hepatocytes in the liver and focal glomeruli swelling and proximal tubular degeneration in the kidney. ChV additive to CdCl2, could organize the protein translation process via NF-kB/Nrf2 pathways to prevent oxidative damage by maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and improving the survival of and tolerance of cells against oxidative damage caused by cadmium. The present study shed light on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of Chlorella vulgaris that suppress the toxicity influence of CdCl2.

In ovo protective effects of chicoric and rosmarinic acids against Thiacloprid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and growth retardation on newly hatched chicks.

Thiacloprid (TH) is a neonicotinoid insecticide employed in agriculture to protect fruits and vegetables against different insects. It showed different deleterious effects on the general health of non-target organisms including birds and animals, however, its developmental toxicity has yet to be fully elucidated. Chicoric (CA) and rosmarinic (RA) acids are polyphenolic compounds with a wide range of beneficial biological activities. In this study, the possible protective effects of CA and RA were investigated in chick embryos exposed in ovo to TH (1µg/egg) with or without CA (100 µg/egg) or RA (100 µg/egg) co-exposure. TH reduced the hatchling body weight, body weight/egg weight, and relative weight of bursa of Fabricius in the one-day-old hatchlings. Examination of the 7-day-old chicks revealed a decline in feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and plasma levels of T3, T4, and growth hormone. Serum ALT, AST activities, and total cholesterol levels showed significant elevations. Hepatic MDA was increased with a reduction in SOD activity and GSH level and downregulation of the liver SOD and GST gene expression pattern. Serum IgG and IgM levels were reduced, and various histopathological alterations were noticed in the liver. Co-administration of CA or RA with TH mitigated the toxic effects on hatchlings. When both CA and RA are combined, they present a synergistic protective effect. CA and RA can be used as protective agents against TH toxicity as they improve growth performance and have hepatoprotective and immunostimulant effects in newly hatched chicks.

Normal anatomical and diagnostic imaging techniques of the musculotendinous structures of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) foot.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to study the normal musculotendinous structures of the ostrich foot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten African apparent healthy adult female ostriches (Struthio camelus) were slaughtered, and the pelvic limbs were separated from the ankle joint. The different biomedical scanning techniques including radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography were achieved. Then, the ostrich feet were freshly dissected. RESULTS: The radiographs and CT images showed the bony components of the ostrich foot that revealed the presence of long tarsometatarsus and phalanges of the only developed third and fourth toes. The third digit was the longest and possessed four phalanges, whereas the shorter fourth toe contained five phalanges. The ostrich foot consisted mainly of tendons in addition to several small associated muscles. The extensor structures were the extensor digitorum longus tendon, Mm. extensor proprius digiti III, and extensor brevis digiti III and IV. On the other hand, the flexor structures were the flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, flexor perforans et perforatus digiti III, and flexor perforatus digiti III and IV tendons. Furthermore, fibularis longus tendon and two muscles (Mm. abductor digiti IV and lumbricalis) were related to the flexor tendons. CONCLUSION: The combination between the dissecting anatomy and the different biomedical scanning techniques was of value in describing the normal anatomical course of the musculotendinous structures of the ostrich foot, which aids in the diagnosis of any clinical abnormalities in these structures.

Comparative morpho-histological analysis on the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb in Balady dogs (Canis familiaris) and New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the comparative morphological analysis of the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb in dogs and rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 heads obtained from each adult healthy Balady dog (Canis familiaris) and New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of both sexes. The animals were sedated and anesthetized. Then, the heads were removed for computing topography, gross, and cross-sectional anatomy and histological techniques. RESULTS: The vomeronasal organ was blind bilateral tubes enclosed by J-shaped cartilage on each side of the nasal septum. In dogs, it extended from the level of the upper third premolar teeth to the third incisive teeth. While in rabbits, it had no relation with the upper teeth. In cross section, the vomeronasal organ was pear-shaped in dogs and oval in rabbits. The accessory olfactory bulb was a small oval-shaped in dogs, but larger and ovoid in rabbits with clear lamination in its structure. The vomeronasal epithelium in rabbits was higher in its thickness than that of the dog. The vomeronasal duct had medial sensory and lateral respiratory epithelium. The vomeronasal glands were voluminous and of serous type in rabbits other than were seromucous in dogs. CONCLUSION: The most characteristic structural variations achieved in the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb of the dog and rabbit gave an indication that the organ was more functional in rabbits than in dogs. The detection and response to the pheromonal stimuli were referred to as the occurrence of olfactory epithelium in the vomeronasal organ.

The efficacy of chronic zinc oxide nanoparticles using on testicular damage in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.

Testicular impairment is a common complication of Diabetes mellitus (DM). Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are a novel agent for Zn delivery with antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. However, few reports were recorded on it. The current study aimed to investigate the possible ameliorating effect of ZnO NPs treatment on testicular tissues alterations in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Therefore, thirty mature male Wistar rats were divided into three main groups: Control group (n = 18) was subdivided equally into three subgroups (negative control, vehicle and ZnO NPs), Diabetic group (n = 6) and ZnO NPs-treated diabetic group (n = 6). Induction of diabetes was done by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg bw). The rats were orally treated by ZnO NPs (10 mg/kg bw) for 30 constitutive days. At the end of the experiment, blood glucose and serum testosterone levels were measured. Also, testicular tissues were obtained for histopathological investigations and immunohistochemical staining with anti-PCNA (proliferating cell marker), anti-ssDNA (apoptotic cell marker), anti-SOX9 (Sertoli cell marker), anti-Stella (spermatogonia marker), anti-STRA8 (preleptotene and early-leptotene spermatocytes marker), anti-DMC1 (leptotene and zygotene spermatocytes marker), anti-Dnmt3a (a marker for cells under DNA methylation) and anti-α-SMA (peritubular myoid cell marker). The biochemical analysis revealed that diabetes resulted in a significant elevation in blood glucose level and a reduction in serum testosterone level. Moreover, histopathological investigations revealed disorganized seminiferous epithelium and sever hyalinization with vacuolization of the testicular interstitium containing Leydig cells. The immunohistochemical findings support spermatogenesis impairment in the diabetic group. However, ZnO NPs treatment restores architecture of seminiferous epithelium and Leydig cells. Furthermore, more PCNA, SOX9, Stella, STRA8, DMC1 and Dnmt3a immunopositive cells with an improvement of peritubular α-SMA immunopositive expression, as well as few ssDNA-immunopositive cells were detected in the seminiferous epithelium. This study suggested the possible protective role of orally administered ZnO NPs on testicular alterations in the STZ-induced diabetic group via steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis enhancement. In addition, further researches are acquired for evaluation mechanism of ZnO NPs treatment via oral or parenteral routes in a dose-dependent manner to identify the more effective route and dose in the treatment of testicular diabetic complications.