Interplay between diphenyl diselenide and copper: Impact on D. melanogaster survival, behavior, and biochemical parameters.

Copper (Cu2+) is a biologically essential element that participates in numerous physiological processes. However, elevated concentrations of copper have been associated with cellular oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. Organo­selenium compounds such as diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) have in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties. Hence, we hypothesized that DPDS may modulate the toxicity of Cu2+ in Drosophila melanogaster. The acute effects (4 days of exposure) caused by a high concentration of Cu2+ (3 mM) were studied using endpoints of toxicity such as survival and behavior in D. melanogaster. The potential protective effect of low concentration of DPDS (20 µM) against Cu2+ was also investigated. Adult flies aged 1-5 days post-eclosion (both sexes) were divided into four groups: Control, DPDS (20 µM), CuSO4 (3 mM), and the combined exposure of DPDS (20 µM) and CuSO4 (3 mM). Survival, biochemical, and behavioral parameters were determined. Co-exposure of DPDS and CuSO4 increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS as determined by DFCH oxidation). Contrary to our expectation, the co-exposure reduced survival, body weight, locomotion, catalase activity, and cell viability in relation to control group. Taken together, DPDS potentiated the Cu2+ toxicity.

Potentially adverse interactions between haloperidol and valerian.

This study was designed to determine whether the treatment with haloperidol (HP), valerian or both in association impairs the liver or kidney functions. Valerian alone did not affect oxidative stress parameters in the liver or kidney of rats. HP alone only increased glutathione (GSH) depletion in liver, but not in kidney. However, when HP was associated with valerian, an increase in lipid peroxidation levels and dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) reactive species production was observed in the hepatic tissue. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) activities were not affected by the HP plus valerian treatment in the liver and kidney of rats. HP and valerian when administered independently did not affect the activity of hepatic and renal delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D), however, these drugs administered concomitantly provoked an inhibition of hepatic delta-ALA-D activity. The delta-ALA-D reactivation index was higher in rats treated with HP plus valerian than other treated groups. These results strengthen the view that delta-ALA-D can be considered a marker for oxidative stress. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was not altered by any treatment. However, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was higher in the HP group and HP plus valerian group. Our findings suggest adverse interactions between haloperidol and valerian.