The effect of cisplatin administration on certain trace elements homeostasis in rats and the protective effect of silver birch (Betula pendula) sap.

BACKGROUND: A clinically active structure with known antitumor activities is cisplatin (CDDP), but this it comes with toxicity characteristics which can be faded by the beneficial effects of Silver birch (Betula pendula) sap. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the cisplatin activity on: Mn, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn homeostasis in rats and to observe the effect of birch sap. METHODS: Healthy Wistar rats (n = 10/group) were divided in four groups: Control: receiving 1 mL saline I.P. way + water; E1: cisplatin 20 mg kgbw-1, I.P.; E2: cisplatin 20 mg kgbw-1, I.P. + birch sap and Control sap group: 1 mL saline I.P. + birch sap. Blood was collected: at the trial's start and after 48 h, and blood and organs (liver, kidney and spleen) for the cytoarchitecture investigation and readings were sampled after seven days. Samples were processed in nitric acid by microwave digestion and readings were completed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, the outcomes being statistically analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: Cisplatin produced a significant imbalance in the trace elements homeostasis, the birch sap administration recovering them usual homeostasis status. Comparatively with the Control, rats exposed to cisplatin presented a not significant (p > 0.05) decrease of Zn (-26.74%) and Mg (-10.25%), a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of Cu (-27.73%) at 48 h, a highly significant (p < 0.01) decrease of Cu (-56.08%) and Fe (-85.35%) at seven days after administration and a not significant (p > 0.05) increase of Mn (+28.16%). Birch sap administration after Cisplatin was followed by restoration or nevertheless significant increase (p < 0.05) of the investigated trace elements Zn (+56.88% to 48 h/+89.94% after seven days), Mg (+26.86%/+95.74%), Cu (+23.13%/+74.56%), Fe (+39.64%/+440.11%) and Mn (+4.30%/+15.87%), suggesting them defence against cisplatin. Histology revealed the order of main altered organs after the CDDP exposure: kidney, spleen and liver. CONCLUSIONS: The study recommended the important protective role of Betula pendula sap against diverse cisplatin deleterious side-effects.

The consequences of aluminium intake on reproductive function in male rats:a three-generation study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The effects of aluminium exposure on reproductive biomarkers in male rats were followed in a three-generation study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Wistar male rats (F0) were divided into the following groups: control (C), receiving only tap water, and three experimental (E) groups, receiving aluminium sulphate (AS) (E1: 200 ppb, E2: 400 ppb, and E3: 1000 ppb) in drinking water for a 6-month exposure period. To obtain F1, three males from each group were mated with previously unexposed females (1:2 sex ratios) that during gestation and lactation were exposed to the same AS levels as males. The F1 generation male offspring were divided as described and exposed to the same AS levels. The protocol to obtain F2 was similar to that described for F1. RESULTS: Significantly lower testosterone levels in rats exposed to AS and in generations F1 and F2 compared to the parental one, luteinising hormone (LH) fluctuations in F0 and a significant LH decrease in F2 and F3 generations, testis weight decrease, increased immobile and abnormal sperm, and histoarchitecture alterations in the testes were observed. Moreover, interval between deliveries increased. CONCLUSION: Chronic exposure to AS was significantly deleterious, producing a pronounced decrease in the sperm count and testosterone levels in all experimental groups.