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.

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.

Origanum vulgare Essential Oil Modulates the AFB1-Induced Oxidative Damages, Nephropathy, and Altered Inflammatory Responses in Growing Rabbits.

The current study was performed to investigate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) through the evaluation of kidney function tests and histopathological examination of renal tissues, targeting the therapeutic role of Marjoram (Origanum vulgare essential oil-OEO) in improving health status. Forty-eight New Zealand Whites growing rabbits (four weeks old) weighing on average 660.5 ± 2.33 g were randomly and equally distributed into four groups, each of which had four replicas of three animals as the following: Control group (only basal diet), AFB1 group (0.3 mg AFB1/kg diet), OEO group (1 g OEO/kg diet) and co-exposed group (1 g OEO/kg + 0.3 mg AF/kg diet). Our study lasted eight weeks and was completed at 12 weeks of age. The results revealed that OEO decreased the toxic effects of AFB1 in rabbit kidneys by substantially reducing the cystatin C levels in the AFB1 group. Additionally, OEO decreased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation levels in the co-exposed group. Moreover, OEO reduced DNA damage and inflammatory response in addition to the down-regulation of stress and inflammatory cytokines-encoding genes. Besides, OEO preserved the cytoarchitecture of rabbits' kidneys treated with AFB1. In conclusion, O. vulgare essential oil supplementation ameliorated the deleterious effects of AFB1 on the rabbits' kidneys by raising antioxidant levels, decreasing inflammation, and reversing oxidative DNA damage.

Gross, histochemical and electron microscopical characterization of the Pecten oculi of Baladi ducks (Anas boschas domesticus).

OBJECTIVE: As pecten oculi had great functional significances for ornithology, pecten oculi of Baladi duck was well-deserving of intensive morphological study. So, the aim of this study was to throw light on some anatomical and histological formation of the pecten oculi of Baladi ducks as well as use of scanning electron microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty eyeballs of 10 adult Baladi ducks were used to fulfill this work. Ten eyes were used to study the gross anatomy of pecten oculi, including the location, shape, and numbers of pleats. Five samples were embedded at 10% neutral buffered formalin. The specimens were examined by regular histological procedures. The latter five samples were applied for electron microscopy. RESULTS: Grossly, the pecten oculi is formed of three portions: the base, emerged from the optic disk; the pleats, sorted in fan shape; and the bridge. The essential histological ingredients of Baladi ducks' pecten oculi are the blood vessels, lymph vessels, pigment cells, and hyalocytes. CONCLUSION: The current work explains the primary macro- and micro-morphological features of pecten oculi in Baladi duck and collates these features to those formerly explained in other birds. Generally, pecten oculi of Baladi duck was analogous to that of the diurnal birds.

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.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles on experimental fatty liver.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although the beneficial effects of exercise on fatty liver have been described, a previous study conducted at our department showed that transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TEMS) of lower abdominal muscles aggravated fatty liver. The present study aims to evaluate the ability of TEMS of the lower limb muscles to improve fatty liver infiltration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three groups: control; fructose-fed (F), fed fructose-enriched diet for 6weeks; and fructose-fed with transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (F+TEMS), fed fructose-enriched diet for 6weeks and lower limb muscles subjected to TEMS during the last 3weeks of feeding, five sessions/week. Body weight, length, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal and lower limb circumferences were all recorded. Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, serum albumin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels were measured. LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and the atherogenic index (AI) were calculated. Absolute and relative hepatic weights as well as histological examination of the liver were assessed. RESULTS: Final body weight, abdominal and lower limb circumferences, absolute liver weight, homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score, and TG, LDL-C, AI, serum ALT, and AST levels were all significantly reduced in the (F+TEMS) group compared to the (F) group. There was a significant increase in GPx and HDL-C levels, HDL/LDL ratio, and total protein and serum albumin content in (F+TEMS) rats compared to (F) rats. Histologically, hepatic tissue from (F+TEMS) rats had minimal steatotic changes that were restricted to zone 1 and less marked inflammatory cell infiltration compared to (F) rats. CONCLUSION: TEMS was able to reverse steatosis, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and fatty liver caused by fructose feeding. The study confirmed that the variation in the anatomical site of skeletal muscle contraction affects fatty liver in different ways.