Protective effect of essential oil of Cinnamomum verum bark on hepatic and renal toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

The inner bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is widely used as a spice. Cinnamon plants are also a valuable source of essential oil used for medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to investigate the composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oil of C. verum bark (CvEO) and its protective effects in vivo on CCl4-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in rats. Groups of animals were pretreated for 7 days with CvEO (70 or 100 mg/kg body weight) or received no treatment and on day 7 a single dose of CCl4 was used to induce oxidative stress. Twenty-four hours after CCl4 administration, the animals were euthanized. In the untreated group, CCl4 induced an increase in serum biochemical parameters and triggered oxidative stress in both liver and kidneys. CvEO (100 mg/kg) caused significant reductions in CCl4-elevated levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, urea, and creatinine and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein compared with the untreated group. Moreover, pretreatment with CvEO at doses of 70 and 100 mg/kg before administration of CCl4 produced significant reductions in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyl levels in liver and kidney tissues compared with the untreated group. The formation of pathological hepatic and kidney lesions induced by the administration of CCl4 was strongly prevented by CvEO at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Overall, this study suggests that administration of CvEO has high potential to quench free radicals and alleviate CCl4-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats.

Exposure to imipenem/cilastatin causes nephrotoxicity and even urolithiasis in Wistar rats.

Imipenem/cilastatin is a broad-spectrum ß-lactam antibiotic used to treat several bacterial infections. The present study was designed to validate the nephrotoxic effect of this drug in rats and to explore its potentional urolithiatic effect. Thirty two Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: three experimental groups treated with different imipenem/cilastatin dosages (30, 50 and 80 mg/kg/day) and a control group.The experimental groups were given intraperitoneal imipenem/cilastatin injections twice daily for 7 days, and the control group was given intraperitoneal vehicle NaCl 0.9% solution. Nephrotoxic effect of this antibiotic was assessed based on urine and plasma biochemistry, oxidative stress parameters, histopathological examination and infrared spectroscopy characterization. Imipenem/cilastatin administration resulted in alkaline urine, polyuria, crystalluria, raised plasma levels of urea, creatinine and uric acid, decreased contents of plasma gamma glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase, oxidative stress status, malpighian metaplasia as well as crystal deposition in kidneys and urinary tracts of Wistar rats. In addition, the precise nature of the calculi was identified, being formed by imipenem/cilastatin, thus confirming their iatrogenic origin. In conclusion, this study demonstrated through rat model that subacute exposure to imipenem/cilastatin may induce nephrotoxicity and increase the risk for developing kidney stones even at therapeutic dose levels in a dose-dependent manner.

In vitro and in vivo studies of Allium sativum extract against deltamethrin-induced oxidative stress in rats brain and kidney.

The present study investigated the in vitro and the in vivo antioxidant capacities of Allium sativum (garlic) extract against deltamethrin-induced oxidative damage in rat's brain and kidney. The in vitro result showed that highest extraction yield was achieved with methanol (20.08%). Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic, flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity. The in vivo results showed that deltamethrin treatment caused an increase of the acetylcholinesterase level (AChE) in brain and plasma, the brain and kidney conjugated dienes and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels as compared to control group. The antioxidant enzymes results showed that deltamethrin treatment induced a significantly decrease (p < 0.01) in brain and kidney antioxidant enzymes as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) to control group. The co-administration of garlic extract reduced the toxic effects in brain and kidney tissues induced by deltamethrin.

[FT4 immunoassay interference : A case report]. / Interférence sur l'immunodosage de la FT4 : A propos d'une observation.

Measurement of thyrotropin and free thyroxin made using immunoassays are usually needed in clinical endocrinology. Here, we report a case of a patient with type 2 diabetes who presented a weight loss. To eliminate hyperthyroidism, thyroid function tests were performed. Free thyroxin (FT4) was decreased using two automated immunoassays TOSOH AIA 1800 and Roche ELECSYS 2010, with a normal thyrotropin value. Thyroid function tests repeated a month later were normal. The patient's history revealed contact with sheep, which may partly explain the interference. Investigations into the patient's serum were carried out using both the PEG test and dilution test. Interference factors were probably antibodies. Despite progress in immunoassays, we should be aware of interference occurrence since it can lead to false results, unnecessary investigations and incorrect treatment. Thus, simple tests must be carried out as if interference in immunoassays were suspected. Dilutions and PEG tests are generally performed as first line investigations.

[Impact of androgen therapy on metabolic and inflammatory profiles in male hypogonadism]. / Impact de l'androgénothérapie sur les profils métabolique et inflammatoire chez l'homme hypogonadique.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of androgen therapy on metabolic and inflammatoy profiles in male hypogonadic patients. Forty cases with isolated hypogonadism and 80 controls were enrolled. Clinical data were collected (age, weight, height, waist circonference and androgenothearapy). Blood tests were performed to evaluate testosterone, homeostasis index modal assessment (HOMA-IR), lipids and C reactive protein (CRP). Among hypogonadic patients, 14 of them were treated for 4 +/- 3.4 years. Amongst them testosterone levels were significantly elevated comparatively to non-treated patients and significantly lower than controls. Significant differences were noted on waist circumference between non treated patients and controls. Body mass index and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in non-treated patients. Triglycerides and HDLc were significantly decreased respectively in treated and non-treated patients. However, CRP levels were significantly decreased in controls. In conclusion, androgen therapy appeared to protect against obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. Effects on systemic inflammation seemed to be more discrete. Testosterone substitution should be strongly indicated in daily practice with careful prostate monitoring.

[Metabolic and inflammatory profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome associated to weight excess]. / Profils métabolique et inflammatoire dans le syndrome des ovaires polykystiques associé à l'excès pondéral.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and weight excess exhibited metabolic abnormalities and elevated cardiovascular risk. Our objective was to assess metabolic and inflammatory profiles in women with PCOS associated to weight excess; 85 women were enrolled. Four groups were then identified with and without PCOS and/or weight excess. Hyperlipidemia was significantly more observed in the two groups with weight excess. In whom insulinresistance and high sensitive C reactive protein were also elevated. Abnormalities observed when PCOS and weight excess are associated would mimic these observed in isolated weight excess with some particularities.

Clinical pathology alterations in pregnant and non-pregnant rats following scorpion envenomation.

Scorpion envenomation is a growing problem in many countries, especially among women and children. Existing diagnostic criteria are not sufficiently specific to allow antivenin administration in the absence of a confirmed scorpion sting. This study was performed to evaluate conventional haematological and serum chemical measurements as potential indices of scorpion envenomation. Adult, cycling nulliparous and near-term primiparous, white Wistar rats received a single subcutaneous injection of crude venom (600 µg/kg) from the Buthidae scorpion (Buthus occitanus tunetanus). All envenomed rats were observed for external signs and symptoms of toxicity until necropsy, which entailed terminal blood collection at either 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 hr after venom administration (n = 6 per reproductive state per time-point) for evaluation of selected clinical chemistry and haematological analytes. Control cohorts (matched for age and reproductive state) received saline injections subcutaneously and were necropsied at 0.5 hr. Almost all envenomed rats but no control animals displayed physical symptoms of intoxication, including agitation, mastication with hypersalivation, and/or vocalizing. Reproducible alterations in clinical pathology parameters were lacking in venom-treated rats regardless of reproductive status, although modest but significant Rho correlations suggested that mild haemoconcentration, haemolysis, renal function deficits and possibly coagulation difficulties developed over time.