Cytotoxic effects of dose dependent inorganic magnesium oxide nanoparticles on the reproductive organs of rats.

INTRODUCTION: Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) have a variety of applications that have contributed to their elevated popularity, however, the safety and toxic effects on humans are also of concern with these increased applications. There is insufficient data regarding the effect of MgO NPs on reproductive organs, which are crucial aspects to the body's vital physiological functions. The present study was undertaken in male and female rats to assess the reproductive toxicological potential of two doses (low versus high) of MgO NPs on testicular and ovarian tissues. The toxicity was evaluated using histological, hormonal, and oxidative parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) were synthesized by the sol-gel route and were characterized by X ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). Forty-eight adult Wister albino rats were used in this experiment which were divided into groups of male and female, and then further into control, low dose MgO NPs, and high dose MgO NPs. The low dose used was 131.5 mg/kg b.w. (1/10 LD50) while the high dose used was 263 mg/kg b.w. (1/5 LD50). All doses were given orally by gastric tube. After 4 weeks, blood samples were collected to investigate the level of sex hormones and both ovarian and testicular tissues were examined for variable oxidative parameters and histopathological changes by light microscopy. RESULTS: The obtained findings showed that high dose of MgO NPs produced considerable changes in sex hormones and stress parameters in both male and female rats in comparison to the low dose and control groups. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated the presence of histopathological alterations in the testicular and ovarian tissues. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed dose-dependent adverse effects of MgO NPs on the testis and ovary both functionally and histopathologically as compared to the control rats.

The mitigating effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on the hemotoxicity of gibberellic acid on juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The use of plant growth regulators has led to environmental contamination of water bodies that occur adjacent to agricultural areas. Some of these chemicals are bioactive, not only to plants, but also to non-target exposed biota, namely of the aquatic compartment. Previous work demonstrated the establishment of hepato- and nephrotoxic effects in juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed via aquatic media to gibberellic acid (GA3), which is among the most used plant growth regulators, in agricultural practices. Here, we investigated the effect of GA3 on hematological indices, poikilocytosis, nuclear abnormalities, and genotoxic indices measured in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), as well as the putative protective effects of dietary supplementation of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Fish were evenly assorted into 5 groups: group I served as a control, and groups II-V were fed diets supplemented with Spirulina at rates of 0 g/kg, 5 g/kg, 20 g/kg, and 100 g/kg, respectively, for 2 months before being exposed to 150 mg/L GA3. The results revealed that GA3 exposure decreased significantly all hematological indices (P < 0.05), except leucocytes and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), compared to the control group (P > 0.05). GA3 exposure increased significantly the percentage of nuclear abnormalities, altered erythrocytes and the percentages of tail DNA, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Spirulina supplementation restored the hematological, poikilocytosis, nuclear abnormalities, and the percentages of tail DNA to near normal levels. The 100 g/kg SP treatment was the most effective in attaining such effect, showing concentration-dependency. The present study reinforces our findings of the toxicity of GA3 on O. niloticus and suggests that the addition of Spirulina to fish diet can mitigate the hemotoxic effects of GA3.

Pycnogenol a promising remedy for diabetic keratopathy in experimentally induced corneal alkali burns in diabetic rats.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of topically applied pycnogenol (PYC) in healing the standardized alkaline corneal ulcer in diabetic and normal rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The corneal alkali-burn injury (CA-I) model was unilaterally developed in Wistar rats by filter paper saturated with 0.01 M of NaOH and touching the eyes for 45 s. Rats were divided into four groups: Normal control (NC), normal PYC (NPYC), diabetic control (DC), and diabetic PYC (DPYC). Both NPYC and DPYC groups were daily treated with PY eye drops three times, whereas NC and DC ones were treated with ordinary saline for six successive days. RESULTS: The wound healing of corneal epithelial was improved in the NPYC group compared to the NC group. Meanwhile, it was significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the DPYC group than in the DC group. Histological examination revealed that corneal re-epithelialization was more accomplished in the DPYC group than in the DC group. In addition, the inflammatory cells were augmented in the DC group more than those in the DPYC one. CONCLUSION: The findings obtained revealed the efficiency of PYC for enhancing the corneal re-epithelialization and reducing the inflammatory reaction post alkali burn in rats, and thus it could be beneficially valuable as a treatment for the diabetic keratopathy.

The Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound-guided Bilateral Pectointercostal Fascial Plane Block on Sternal Wound Pain After Open Heart Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral pectointercostal fascial plane block after open heart surgeries. METHODS: Seventy patients aged above 18 years and scheduled for on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement or both through median sternotomy were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 35 (block group or control group). The block group had the block performed through 20 ml of a solution of 0.25% bupivacaine plus epinephrine (5 mcg/mL), and the control group received dry needling. The primary outcome was the 24-hour cumulative morphine consumption. The secondary outcomes were time to the first analgesic request, pain score, quality of oxygenation, intensive care unit stays, and hospital stay. RESULTS: The cumulative morphine consumption in the first 24 hours was significantly lower in the block group, with a mean difference of -3.54 (95% confidence interval=-6.55 to -0.53; P=0.015). In addition, the median estimate time to the first analgesic request was significantly longer in the block group than in the control group. Finally, during the postoperative period (4 to 24 h), mean sternal wound objective pain scores were, on average, 0.58 units higher in the block group. CONCLUSION: pectointercostal fascial block is an effective technique in reducing morphine consumption and controlling poststernotomy pain after cardiac surgeries. Also, it may have a role in better postoperative respiratory outcomes.

Assessment of the dose-dependent biochemical and cytotoxicity of zein-coated MgO nanowires in male and female albino rats.

Introduction: Recently, zein-coated MgO nanowires were synthesized, which could be promising as an effective antimicrobial compounds that can be combined in the preparation of a diversity of new dental formulations. However, there is a deficiency of information concerning their toxicological profile regarding the human health.Objective: This in vivo study aimed to explore the hepato- and nephrotoxicity of low versus high doses of zein-coated MgO nanowires in rats.Materials and Methods: A 21-day recurrent dose toxicity research was carried out. Wistar rats were divided into 2 main groups, males and females (n = 18). Each group was further subdivided into 3 subgroups: control, MgO-zein nanowires low dose, MgO-zein nanowires high dose. The low dose used was 100 mg/kg while the high dose used was 200 mg/kg.Results: The results showed that MgO-zein nanowires at both doses did not affect the electrolytes levels compared to the control levels. Also, they did not produce any significant alteration in liver function markers in both rats' genders. MgO-zein nanowires at both doses did not produce any effective alteration in serum creatinine in treated rats of both genders. Moreover, very minimal histological alterations were observed in both doses of MgO-zein nanowires in liver and kidney of both genders.Conclusion: Based on the observed safety of zein-coated MgO nanowires, it can be utilized as an effective antimicrobial compound that can be combined in the preparation of a diversity of new dental formulations.KEY MESSAGESMgO NPs are globally used in multiple fields including the therapeutic field.Zein has wide pharmaceutical applications especially coating the tablet over sugar.There are no cytotoxic studies that investigate MgO-zein nanowires safety until now.

Bioremediation of hemotoxic and oxidative stress induced by polyethylene microplastic in Clarias gariepinus using lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella.

Despite extensive research on the toxic effects of microplastics (MPs), there is no obtainable data on the use of phytobioremediation against MPs toxicity in fish. This study aimed to investigate the protective role of lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella against the toxic effects of MPs in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) using hematology, biochemical, antioxidants, erythron profiles (poikilocytosis and nuclear abnormalities) and the accumulation of MPs in tissues as biomarkers. Five groups of fish received: normal diet (control); MPs (500 mg/kg diet) (Group 2); MPs (500 mg/kg diet) + lycopene (500 mg/kg diet) (Group 3); MPs (500 mg/kg diet) + citric acid (30 g/kg diet) (Group 4); and MPs (500 mg/kg diet) + chlorella (50 g/kg diet) (Group 5) for 15 days. Group 2 had significantly higher amounts of MPs in the stomach, gills, and feces, electrolyte imbalances (HCO3, Fe, Na+, K+, Ca+2, Cl-, and anion gap, hematobiochemical alterations, and decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione S-transferases compared to the control group. Additionally, Group 2 had significant increase in the percentage of poikilocytosis, and nuclear abnormalities in RBC's compared to the control group. The co-treatment of MPs-exposed fish with lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella-supplemented diets ameliorated the hematological, biochemical, and erythron profile alterations, but only slightly enhanced the antioxidant activity. Overall, lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella can be recommended as a feed supplement to improve hematobiochemical alterations and oxidative damage induced by MPs toxicity in the African catfish (C. gariepinus).

Investigating the effects of copper sulfate and copper oxide nanoparticles in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using multiple biomarkers: the prophylactic role of Spirulina.

Copper has toxic effects in fish, whereas the cyanobacterium Spirulina reportedly has protective effects against metal toxicity in various animal species. The current study, therefore, aimed to investigate the prophylactic role of Spirulina platensis against the effects of copper sulfate (CuSO4) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Biochemical, antioxidant, erthyron profile and histopathological endpoints were assessed after for 15 days of exposure in five separate treatment groups: (1) fish pre-fed the normal diet (control), (2) fish pre-fed the normal diet and exposed to 15 mg/L of CuSO4, (3) fish pre-fed the normal diet augmented with 0.25% Spirulina and exposed to 15 mg/L of CuSO4, (4) fish pre-fed the normal diet and exposed to 15 mg/L of CuO-NPs, and (5) fish pre-fed the normal diet augmented with 0.25% Spirulina and exposed to 15 mg/L CuO-NPs. Exposure to CuSO4 or CuO-NPs significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in fish, as well as serum total protein, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and uric acid concentrations. In contrast, most hematological indices in fish significantly decreased after CuSO4 or CuO-NPs exposure. Moreover, CuSO4 and CuO-NPs caused a significant increase in the percentage of poikilocytosis and nuclear abnormalities of red blood cells, as well as histopathological changes in the brain, liver, intestine, and kidneys. Importantly, Spirulina supplementation mitigated against physiological disruption caused by CuSO4 or CuO-NPs.

Ameliorative effect of Spirulina platensis against lead nitrate-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in catfish Clarias gariepinus.

The present study was designed to investigate the protective role of dietary supplementation of Spirulina platensis (SP) against cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of lead nitrate in Clarias gariepinus. Four groups of fishes were used: first group as control which fed on basal diet, second group fed on basal diet and exposed to (1 mg/L of lead nitrate), third group fed on diet containing 0.25% SP and exposed to (1 mg/L of lead nitrate), and fourth group fed on diet containing 0.5%SP and exposed to (1 mg/L of lead nitrate). Fish samples were taken at 2nd and 4th week of exposure. The hematological indices of lead nitrate-exposed group were decreased significantly compared to the control group at 2nd and 4th week of exposure. Lead nitrate caused a significant increase in the percentage of poikilocytosis, micronuclei, and apoptotic cells as well as comet tail length and olive tail moment compared with the control group at 2nd and 4th week of exposure. The highest level of damage was found on 4th week of exposure with all parameters. Dietary inclusion of SP ameliorated these cytotoxic and genetic changes, as well as this amelioration was concentration and time dependent. Consequently, the present study proposed that the addition of SP to the fish diet can be used as a promising protective agent to oppose cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of lead nitrate in aquaculture. Graphical abstract.

Protective effects of a novel pyrazolecarboxamide derivative against lead nitrate induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in Clarias gariepinus.

Pyrazole derivatives display diverse biological and pharmacological activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant properties of a novel pyrazolecarboxamide derivative (4-amino-N-[(4-chlorophenyl)]-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-thieno [2, 3-c] pyrazole-5-carboxamide) in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, exposed to 1 mg/L PbNO3. Fish were intramuscularly injected with pyrazole-5-carboxamidederivative according to the following groupings: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (1 mg/L lead nitrate), Group 3 (1 mg/L lead nitrate + 5 mg pyrazole derivative/kg body weight), and Group 4 (1 mg/L lead nitrate + 10 mg pyrazole derivative/kg body weight) for two weeks and four weeks. Lead nitrate (1 mg/L) caused significant elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, uric acid, cholesterol, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) compared to the control group after two and four weeks of exposure, while serum total lipids, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly reduced compared to the control group. Furthermore, levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were reduced in group 2 compared to the control group. However, in group 2, hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA fragmentation percentage were significantly increased compared to the control group. Histopathological changes in the liver of lead-exposed groups included marked disturbance of hepatic tissue organization, degeneration of hepatocytes, dilation of blood sinusoids and the central vein as well as necrosis. Injection of pyrazole derivative for two weeks and four weeks reversed alterations in biochemical parameters, antioxidant biomarkers, lipid peroxidation, hepatic DNA damage, and histopathological changes in liver tissue induced by 1 mg/L lead nitrate. This amelioration was higher in response to high-dose pyrazole derivative (10 mg) at the fourth week of exposure, showing concentration-and time-dependency. Overall, the sensitized derivative pyrazolecarboxamide is likely a useful tool to minimize the effects of lead toxicity due to its potent antioxidant activity.

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Impacts of Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca) and Parsley (Petroselinum sativum) Aqueous Extracts: Lessons from Experimental Rats.

Medicinal plants are effective in controlling plasma glucose level with minimal side effects and are commonly used in developing countries as an alternative therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential antidiabetic and antioxidant impacts of Balanites aegyptiaca and Petroselinum sativum extracts on streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal rats. The influences of these extracts on body weight, plasma glucose, insulin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and liver-pyruvate kinase (L-PK) levels were assessed. Furthermore, the weight and histomorphological changes of the pancreas were studied in the different experimental groups. The herbal preparations significantly reduced the mean plasma glucose and MDA levels and significantly increased the mean plasma insulin, L-PK, and TAC levels in the treated diabetic groups compared to the diabetic control group. An obvious increase in the weight of the pancreas and the size of the islets of Langerhans and improvement in the histoarchitecture were evident in the treated groups compared to untreated ones. In conclusion, the present study provides a scientific evidence for the traditional use of these extracts as antidiabetic and antioxidant agents in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of treatment with zinc in children with intractable epilepsy.

This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of oral zinc supplementation in children with intractable epilepsy. Forty-five children aged between three and 12 years and diagnosed with idiopathic intractable epilepsy at Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt were recruited. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the intervention group received oral zinc supplementation (1 mg/kg/day) while the placebo group received placebo, each for six months. The parents of each child filled in a detailed questionnaire that covered demographic characteristics, type of seizures, frequency, duration of seizures, previous hospital admissions, postictal phenomena and the occurrence of status epilepticus. The primary outcome (frequency of seizures) was compared between the two groups. Zinc supplementation resulted in a significant reduction of seizure frequency in 31% of the treated children. Zinc is an important trace element. Our results suggest that it has mildly beneficial effects in children with intractable epilepsy. We recommend further investigation of oral zinc supplementation as an adjunctive therapy for managing intractable epilepsy in children. Zinc therapy may be an option in treatment protocols for intractable epilepsy in the near future.