Effects of shipwrecks on spatiotemporal dynamics of metal/loids in sediments and seafood safety in the Bay of Bengal.

Metal/loid pollution from shipwrecking activities has drawn significant concern due to their persistent threat to the marine ecosystem and human health. We investigated the spatiotemporal distribution, pollution characteristics, risks, sources, and potential impact of metal/loids in the sediments and seafood in the Bay of Bengal at nearby open beaching shipwrecking yards in Bangladesh. We collected 78 sediments and 208 seafood samples from the exposed and control sites from 2018 to 2020 during the dry and wet seasons. The concentrations of 16 elements, including cadmium, arsenic, lead, chromium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, tin, antimony, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, vanadium, selenium, and thallium were measured using validated inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods. Based on the pollution indices (enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, pollution index, and pollution load index), lead, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, copper, zinc, and tin from the dry season showed higher contaminations compared to the wet and their concentrations were increased from 2018 to 2020 with seasonal fluctuations. Sediment cadmium and arsenic posed relatively higher and moderate ecological risks. Health risk analysis indicated that lead, cadmium, and inorganic arsenic (estimated) in seafood species pose a possible health threat to the general population. Further, there were possible ecological and health risks for the metal/loids in combination based on the ecological risk index in sediment and the hazard index in seafood, respectively. Source apportionment suggested that anthropogenic activities through uncontrolled shipwrecking operations over the last four decades were the largest polluting dominator, contributing 55-77% of the metal/loid concentrations. Therefore, the data may inform mitigation strategies for emission control at the shipwrecking yards to protect marine ecosystems and their local population.

Effects of storage conditions on the stability and distribution of clinical trace elements in whole blood and plasma: Application of ICP-MS.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of trace element stability during sample handling and preservation is a prerequisite to produce reliable test results in clinical trace element analysis. METHOD: An alkaline dissolution method has been developed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to quantify eighteen trace element concentrations: vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, bromine, molybdenum, cadmium, antimony, iodine, mercury, thallium, lead, and bismuth in human blood, using a small sample volume of 0.1 mL. The study evaluated the comparative effects of storage conditions on the stability of nutritionally essential and non-essential elements in human blood and plasma samples stored at three different temperatures (4 °C, -20 °C and -80 °C) over a one-year period, and analysed at multiple time points. The distribution of these elements between whole blood and plasma and their distribution relationships are illustrated using blood samples from 66 adult donors in Queensland. RESULTS: The refrigeration and freezing of blood and plasma specimens proved to be suitable storage conditions for many of the trace elements for periods up to six months, with essentially unchanged concentrations. Substantially consistent recoveries were obtained by preserving specimens at -20 °C for up to one year. Ultra-freezing of the specimens at -80 °C did not improve stability; but appeared to result in adsorption and/or precipitation of some elements, accompanied by a longer sample thawing time. A population sample study revealed significant differences between the blood and plasma concentrations of six essential elements and their relationships also varied significantly for different elements. CONCLUSION: Blood and plasma specimens can be reliably stored at 4 °C for six months or kept frozen at -20 °C up to one year to obtain high quality test results of trace elements.

Development and Validation of an ICP-MS Method and Its Application to Determine Multiple Trace Elements in Small Volumes of Whole Blood and Plasma.

Essential and nonessential element concentrations in human blood provide important information on the nutritional status of individuals and can assist in the screening or diagnosis of certain disorders and their association with other causative factors. A simple and sensitive method, suitable for use with small sample volumes, for quantification of multiple trace element concentrations in whole blood and plasma has been developed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Method validation was performed using standard reference materials of whole blood and serum using varying sample treatments with nitric acid, water and hydrogen peroxide. The method was applied to quantify the trace element concentrations in whole blood and plasma samples (0.1 mL) from 50 adult blood donors in Queensland. The whole blood sample (5 mL) was collected in Vacutainer tubes with K2EDTA as anticoagulant. The developed method was able to quantify, in blood and plasma samples over a wide range of concentrations, several essential elements: cobalt, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and selenium; the nutritionally probably essential elements vanadium and strontium; and nonessential elements including lead, cadmium, arsenic, caesium, barium, thallium and uranium. Significant differences (P < 0.0001) were observed between whole blood and plasma concentrations for 13 elements; 5 of the measured elements, cobalt (0.49 vs. 0.36 µg/L), copper (1.0 vs. 0.75 mg/L), strontium (28 vs. 16 µg/L), barium (1.5 vs. 0.64 µg/L) and thallium (0.06 vs. 0.03 µg/L), had higher mean concentrations in plasma than in blood. Whole blood concentrations of nine trace elements were significantly correlated (P < 0.0001) with plasma concentrations. The distribution of the trace elements between human blood and plasma varied considerably for the different elements. These results indicate that, using a small sample volume, this assay is suitable for the evaluation of nutritional status as well as in monitoring human toxic elemental exposures.

Protective Role of Syzygium Cymosum Leaf Extract Against Carbofuran-Induced Hematological and Hepatic Toxicities.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of Syzygium cymosum leaf methanol extract (SCL) against carbofuran (CF)-induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats, along with the identification and quantification of polyphenolic composition by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids in SCL. Similarly, HPLC analysis suggests that SCL contains some known important antioxidants, such as rutin, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid that could be responsible for the hepatoprotective activity of the extract. In CF-exposed rats, significant hematological alterations along with histological changes were marked by the presence of necrosis, congestion, and inflammation. CF-intoxication also showed an increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in cellular antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) levels in rats compared with the control group. Furthermore, coadministration of SCL significantly ameliorated the abnormalities and improved the cellular arrangement in experimental animals. SCL also reversed the alteration of hematological and biochemical parameters and brought them back to normal levels as compared to the control group. In conclusion, S. cymosum may be one of the best sources of natural antioxidant compounds that can be used in the treatment of oxidative stress and stress-related diseases and disorders.

Ganoderma lucidum and Auricularia polytricha Mushrooms Protect against Carbofuran-Induced Toxicity in Rats.

The current study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of two types of mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and Auricularia polytricha (AP), against carbofuran- (CF) induced toxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 42) were divided into six equal groups. The rats in the negative control group received oral administration of CF at 1 mg/kg with the normal diet for 28 days. The treatment groups received oral administration of ethanolic extract of GL or AP at 100 mg/kg followed by coadministration of CF at 1 mg/kg with the normal diet for the same experimental period, respectively. In the CF alone treated group, there were significant decreases in the erythrocytic and thrombocytic indices but increases in the concentrations of the total leukocytes, including the agranulocytes. A significant increase in all of the liver function biomarkers except albumin, in lipid profiles except high-density lipoprotein, and in the kidney function markers occurred in the negative control group compared to the rats of the normal control and positive control groups. The coadministration of mushroom extracts significantly ameliorated the toxic effects of the CF. The GL mushroom extract was more efficacious than that of the AP mushroom, possibly due to the presence of high levels of phenolic compounds and other antioxidants in the GL mushroom.

Antihyperglycemic, Antidiabetic, and Antioxidant Effects of Garcinia pedunculata in Rats.

The antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic, and antioxidant potentials of the methanolic extract of Garcinia pedunculata (GP) fruit in rats were investigated. The acute antihyperglycemic effect of different doses of GP was studied in normal male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection in another cohort of male Wistar rats and they showed significantly higher blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, altered lipid profiles, and lower insulin levels compared to nondiabetic control animals. There were increased lipid peroxidation and reduced levels of cellular antioxidant enzymes in different tissues of diabetic rats. However, oral administration of GP extracts, especially the highest dose (1000 mg/kg), significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia (42%); elevated insulin levels (165%); decreased HbA1c (29.4%); restored lipid levels (reduction in TG by 25%, TC by 15%, and LDL-C by 75% and increase in HDL-C by 4%), liver and renal function markers, and lipid peroxidation (reduction by 52% in the liver, 39% in the kidney, 44% in the heart, and 46% in the pancreas); and stimulated tissue antioxidant enzymes to near normalcy. Overall, the findings suggest that GP fruit is effective against hyperglycemia and could be used in the treatment of diabetes and its complications and other oxidative stress-mediated pathological conditions.

Protective effects of ethanolic peel and pulp extracts of Citrus macroptera fruit against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Increases in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have aroused strong interest in identifying antioxidants from natural sources for use in preventive medicine. Citrus macroptera (C. macroptera), commonly known as "Satkara", is an important herbal and medicinal plant reputed for its antioxidant, nutritious and therapeutic uses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardio-protective effects of ethanol extracts of C. macroptera peel and pulp against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Male albino Wistar rats (n=36) were pre-treated with peel and pulp extracts (500mg/kg) for 45days. They received a challenge with ISO (85mg/kg) on the 44th and 45th days. Our findings indicated that subcutaneous injection of ISO induced severe myocardial injuries associated with oxidative stress, as confirmed by elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) and anti-peroxidative enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase, compared with levels observed in control animals. Pre-treatment with C. macroptera peel and pulp extracts prior to ISO administration however, significantly improved many of the investigated biochemical parameters, i.e., cardiac troponin I, cardiac marker enzymes, lipid profile and oxidative stress markers. The fruit peel extract showed stronger cardio-protective effects than the pulp extract. The biochemical findings were further confirmed by histopathological examinations. Overall, the increased endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity against heightened oxidative stress in the myocardium is strongly suggestive of the cardio-protective potential of C. macroptera.

Protective mechanism of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on carbofuran-induced hematological and hepatic toxicities in a rat model.

CONTEXT: Turmeric (Curcuma longa L. [Zingiberaceae]) is used in the treatment of a variety of conditions including pesticide-induced toxicity. OBJECTIVE: The study reports the antioxidant properties and the protective effects of turmeric against carbofuran (CF)-induced toxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant potential was determined by using free radicals scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power values. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, designated as control, turmeric (100 mg/kg/day), CF (1 mg/kg/day) and turmeric (100 mg/kg/day) + CF (1 mg/kg/day) treatments. All of the doses were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. The biological activity of the turmeric and CF was determined by using several standard biochemical methods. RESULTS: Turmeric contains high concentrations of polyphenols (8.97 ± 0.15 g GAEs), flavonoids (5.46 ± 0.29 g CEs), ascorbic acid (0.06 ± 0.00 mg AEs) and FRAP value (1972.66 ± 104.78 µM Fe2+) per 100 g of sample. Oral administration of CF caused significant changes in some of the blood indices, such as, mean corpuscular volume, corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet distribution width and induced severe hepatic injuries associated with oxidative stress, as observed by the significantly higher lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels when compared to control, while the activities of cellular antioxidant enzymes (including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were significantly suppressed in the liver tissue. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Turmeric supplementation could protect against CF-induced hematological perturbations and hepatic injuries in rats, plausibly by the up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes and inhibition of LPO to confer the protective effect.

Assessment of Toxicity and Beneficiary Effects of Garcinia pedunculata on the Hematological, Biochemical, and Histological Homeostasis in Rats.

This study was undertaken to investigate the toxicological profile of a methanolic extract of Garcinia pedunculata fruit in rats by conducting hematological, biochemical, and histopathological examinations. Long Evans rats were divided into four groups, each with 6 animals, and were treated with three oral doses (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. The extract did not cause significant changes in body and relative organ weight, percent water content, or hematological parameters at any administered doses. However, a significant dose-dependent positive effect in serum lipid profile and all atherogenic indices including the cardiac risk ratio, Castelli's risk index-2, and the atherogenic coefficient were observed. Significant increases in the levels of iron and decreases in serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities and the levels of serum glucose were noted when the extract was administered at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg). Histopathological examination of the target tissues further confirmed that the extract was safe and had no observed toxicological features. Our study indicates that G. pedunculata fruit is nontoxic, has the potential to be effective against atherosclerosis, and may be used as a hepatoprotectant. The fruit extract is also beneficial to those with iron deficiency and hyperglycemia.

Antioxidant Properties and Cardioprotective Mechanism of Malaysian Propolis in Rats.

Propolis contains high concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, and reducing sugars and proteins. Malaysian Propolis (MP) has been reported to exhibit high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values. Herein, we report the antioxidant properties and cardioprotective properties of MP in isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced myocardial infarction in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 32) were pretreated orally with an ethanol extract of MP (100 mg/kg/day) for 30 consecutive days. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg in saline) for two consecutive days caused a significant increase in serum cardiac marker enzymes and cardiac troponin I levels and altered serum lipid profiles. In addition significantly increased lipid peroxides and decreased activities of cellular antioxidant defense enzymes were observed in the myocardium. However, pretreatment of ischemic rats with MP ameliorated the biochemical parameters, indicating the protective effect of MP against ISO-induced ischemia in rats. Histopathological findings obtained for the myocardium further confirmed the biochemical findings. It is concluded that MP exhibits cardioprotective activity against ISO-induced oxidative stress through its direct cytotoxic radical-scavenging activities. It is also plausible that MP contributed to endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity via inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Satkara (Citrus macroptera) Fruit Protects against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats.

Although Citrus macroptera (Rutaceae), an indigenous fruit in Bangladesh, has long been used in folk medicine, however, there is a lack of information concerning its protective effects against oxidative damage. The protective effects of an ethanol extract of Citrus macroptera (EECM) against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were investigated in rats. Rats (treatment groups) were pretreated with EECM at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, orally for 30 days followed by acetaminophen administration. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was administered as a standard drug over a similar treatment period. Our findings indicated that oral administration of acetaminophen induced severe hepatic and renal injuries associated with oxidative stress, as observed by 2-fold higher lipid peroxidation (TBARS) compared to control. Pretreatment with EECM prior to acetaminophen administration significantly improved all investigated biochemical parameters, that is, transaminase activities, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase activities and total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium and chloride ions, and TBARS levels. These findings were confirmed by histopathological examinations. The improvement was prominent in the group that received 1000 mg/kg EECM. These findings suggested that C. macroptera fruit could protect against acetaminophen-induced hepatonephrotoxicity, which might be via the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

Amelioration of Isoproterenol-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Myocardium by Withania somnifera Leaf Extract.

We investigated the protective role of Withania somnifera leaf extract (WSLEt) on isoproterenol- (ISO-) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) administered to rats for two consecutive days caused a significant increase in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels and serum lipid profiles, as well as the activities of some marker enzymes. In addition to these diagnostic markers, there were increased levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) in the myocardium. However, oral pretreatment (100 mg/kg b.w.) with WSLEt for 4 weeks elicited a significant cardioprotective activity by lowering the levels of cTnI, lipid profiles, and marker enzymes. The levels of LPO products were also significantly decreased. Elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes were also observed in rats pretreated with WSLEt. As further confirmed histopathologically, our findings strongly suggest that the cardioprotective effect of WSLEt on myocardium experiencing ISO-induced oxidative damage may be due to an augmentation of the endogenous antioxidant system and an inhibition of LPO in the myocardial membrane. We conclude that WSLEt confers some protection against oxidative damage in ISO-induced MI in rats.

Protective Effect of Sundarban Honey against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatonephrotoxicity in Rats.

Honey, a supersaturated natural product of honey bees, contains complex compounds with antioxidant properties and therefore has a wide a range of applications in both traditional and modern medicine. In the present study, the protective effects of Sundarban honey from Bangladesh against acetaminophen- (APAP-) induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in experimental rats were investigated. Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with honey (5 g/kg) for 4 weeks, followed by the induction of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity via the oral administration of a single dose of APAP (2 g/kg). Organ damage was confirmed by measuring the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TB), urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological alterations observed in the livers and the kidneys further confirmed oxidative damage to these tissues. Animals pretreated with Sundarban honey showed significantly markedly reduced levels of all of the investigated parameters. In addition, Sundarban honey ameliorated the altered hepatic and renal morphology in APAP-treated rats. Overall, our findings indicate that Sundarban honey protects against APAP-induced acute hepatic and renal damage, which could be attributed to the honey's antioxidant properties.