Endosulfan is toxic to the reproductive health of male freshwater fish, Cyprinion watsoni.

Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide that is toxic to aquatic life. Endosulfan might hamper the reproductive health of indigenous fish in agricultural areas of Pakistan where this pesticide is sprayed widely. The aim of the current study is to investigate the toxic effects of endosulfan on selected reproductive parameters of male freshwater fish, Cyprinion watsoni. Two concentrations of endosulfan (0.5 and 1 ppb for 30 days exposure) were tested for their effects on body weight, body length, and testicular weight, length, and width. Testicular testosterone was assayed from tissue extracts using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). A significant increase in the mortality rate was observed in both treated groups during both spawning and quiescent seasons. The overall behavior of fish in the aquarium was normal in all control and treated groups. However, the treated fish exhibited anxiety after treatment with endosulfan. The body weight and length, and testicular weight, length and width were not significantly different to the control group. The testicular testosterone concentrations were significantly lower in both endosulfan-treated groups compared to the control. The decrease was dose-dependent, with a significant difference between the two treated groups. The histomorphological results demonstrated various testicular alterations in the treated groups. These alterations included an increase in interlobular areas and clumping patterns in spermatocytes/spermatids. Because spermatids eventually differentiate into sperms, their low count will directly result in lower sperm count. Taken together, these results suggest that endosulfan is a toxicant that at least disturbs testosterone levels (possibly others) and negatively impacts the reproductive health of male freshwater fish.

Hepatitis C Treatment in Patients With Porphyria Cutanea Tarda.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common susceptibility factor for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Experience on HCV treatment in patients with PCT is limited. Recently, HCV treatment has improved with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). We review our experience on HCV treatment in patients with PCT with older and newer regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted. HCV treatment was attempted 22 times in 13 patients with PCT (5 attempts in 1, 2 in 5 and 1 in the other 7 patients). RESULTS: Before starting HCV treatment, PCT was in complete remission in 16, partial remission in 2, unknown status in 2 and active in 2 instances. PCT relapsed during therapy 6 times (all interferon-based regimens and 2 including telaprevir), 4 requiring treatment interruption. Treatment was interrupted for reasons other than PCT relapse in 2 patients treated with interferon-based regimens. To prevent PCT recurrence, hydroxychloroquine was continued during HCV therapy 6 times (3 interferon regimens, 2 ribavirin regimens without interferon and 1 DAA alone). Twelve patients achieved sustained viral response, 3 with interferon regimens and 9 with DAA. Two patients with active PCT were treated with DAA, with reduction of plasma porphyrins in 1 and normalization in the other at the end of HCV therapy. CONCLUSIONS: HCV treatment regimens including interferon or ribavirin may precipitate PCT relapse. Hydroxychloroquine may be useful to prevent such relapses. In this limited experience, DAA were not associated with PCT relapse. Studies are needed to examine DAA as a primary PCT treatment in HCV-infected patients.