Immunostimulatory effects of Nannochloropsis oculata supplementation on Barki rams growth performance, antioxidant assay, and immunological status.

BACKGROUND: Natural feed supplements are gaining popularity in the animal production sector due to their safety and potential immunostimulatory properties, as well as the ban of some antibiotics and their negative residual effects. This study was carried out for 1 month to investigate the effect of Nannochloropsis oculata supplementation on growth performance and cell-mediated immunological status of rams assessed by leukogram assessment, lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin assay after lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) including interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 12 (IL12), and gamma interferon (γ-IF), as well as Comet assay (% of DNA damage, tail length (px), % DNA in tail, tail moment and Olive tail moment). METHODS: Eighteen Barki rams (26.21 ± 0.64 kg) were divided into 3 equal treatment groups (6 sheep/each), G1: animals served as the control group that was fed the basal diet only, while the other treated groups (G2 and G3 (Nan 1.5% and Nan 3%) were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.5% and 3% N. oculata (dry matter basis), respectively. RESULTS: The obtained results revealed that G3 showed a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in performance (body weight and body weight gain), the highest significant count (P < 0.05) in lymphocytes, and the lowest significant (P < 0.05) levels of neutrophils and neutrophils and lymphocytes ratio (N/L) ratio. Meanwhile, both levels of N. oculata significantly (P < 0.05) decreased MDA and increased TAC than control which seemed to be directly correlated with supplemented dose. There was a significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in the lymphocyte transformation assay produced significant (P < 0.05) high cytokines (IL6, γ-IF, IL12, and TNF-α) and the lowest significant (P <0.05) percent of DNA damage. The conducted principal component analysis estimated the inter-relationship between parameters and revealed that microalgae correlated strongly with cytokine assay and TAC, and negatively with Comet assay parameters; MDA, and neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: It can be noted that dietary addition of N. oculata 3% increased sheep's performance while also producing significant-high cytokines. It also enhanced sheep immunology by considerably enhancing lymphocyte transformation ability. The antioxidant activity of Nannochloropsis appears to influence these findings. It was proposed that the Barki rams' basal diet be supplemented with 3% N. oculata.

Study of anatomical variations of hepatic vasculature using multidetector computed tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: Preoperative evaluation of the hepatic vasculature is necessary to minimize mortality and morbidity during various surgeries due to the complexity of liver anatomy. The purpose of our investigation is to determine the anatomical variations in the hepatic vascular system by using multidetector computed tomography. METHODS: In this observational study, 500 patients aged between 1 and 86 years were randomly chosen from a patient population referred for computed tomography angiography for various clinical indications. Multidetector computed tomography angiography examinations were performed using a 128 detector scanner. The area from the lower thoracic spine to symphysis pubis level, with the patient in a supine position, was adopted as the field of view. The percentage of occurrence of each of the vascular variant was determined. RESULTS: Normal arterial anatomy [Type I] was seen in 306 patients [61.2%]. Replaced left hepatic artery from the left gastric artery was the most common variant in our study, which was seen in 57 patients [11.4%]. Classic hepatic venous anatomy was found in 261 [52.2%] patients. An accessory inferior right hepatic vein was found in 110 [22%] patients. A large early branch of segment VIII into middle hepatic vein was found in 157 patients [31.4%]. Extraparenchymal branching of the right anterior portal vein from the left portal vein was the most common anomaly found in 12 [2.4%] patients. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography angiography can be used in preoperative evaluation in various hepatobiliary surgeries and interventional procedures, which give a lot of information regarding parenchyma and vascular system.

Sodium Acetate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, and Citric Acid Impacts on Isolated Peripheral Lymphocyte Viability, Proliferation, and DNA Damage.

The present study examined the impacts of sodium acetate (SA), sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), and citric acid (CA) on the viability, proliferation, and DNA damage of isolated lymphocytes in vitro. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays were adopted to evaluate cell viability, while comet assay was employed to assess the genotoxic effects. The cells were incubated with different levels of SA (50, 100, and 200 mM), SAPP (25, 50, and 100 mM/L), or CA (100, 200, and 300 µg/mL). The lymphocytes treated with the tested food additives showed concentration-dependent decreases in both cell viability and proliferation. A concentration-dependent increase in LDH release was also observed. The comet assay results indicated that SA, SAPP, and CA increased DNA damage percentage, tail DNA percentage, tail length, and tail moment in a concentration-dependent manner. The current results showed that SA, SAPP, and CA are cytotoxic and genotoxic to isolated lymphocytes in vitro.

Hepatic P53 upregulation and the genotoxic potential of acesulfame-K treatment in rats with a special emphasis on in vitro lymphocyte and macrophage activity testing.

Acesulfame-k (Ace-k) is a widely used artificial sweetener in various products, and long-term cumulative and multisource exposure is possible despite inadequate toxicological data confirming its safety. Ninety male rats were divided into two main groups according to their body weight into immature and mature rats. Each group was subdivided into 3 subgroups: control untreated, 30 and 90 mg/kg b. w of Ace-k via gastric intubation. The treatment was performed daily 5 days per week for 12 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected for in vitro testing of lymphocyte proliferation rate, comet assay, and macrophage activity about nitric oxide (NO) production. In addition, the collection of liver specimens was performed for P53 gene expression and histopathological evaluation. The results revealed that Ace-k induced modulation in lymphocyte proliferation rate and affected the production of NO by macrophages while increasing in tail moment in a dose-dependent manner that varied among different age groups. The upregulation of P53 in the liver was correlated with increased polyploidization and necro apoptotic reaction and various histopathological hepatic alterations. The present data revealed that chronic treatment of rats with Ace-k affects lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage activity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the genotoxic and hepatotoxic potential of Ace-k were confirmed.

Involvement of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon gamma-γ, and interleukins 1ß, 6, and 10 in immunosuppression due to long-term exposure to five common food preservatives in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Food preservatives are abundant in many products in the human environment. However, little is known about the impact of many food preservatives on the immune system and the immune related genes. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of five widespread food preservatives, including butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), potassium sorbate (PS), sodium benzoate (SB), boric acid (BA), and calcium propionate (CP), on haemato-immune functions. METHOD: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to groups orally administered water (control), BHA (0.09 mg/kg), PS (4.5 mg/kg), SB (0.9 mg/kg), BA (0.16 mg/kg) or CP (0.18 mg/kg) for 90 consecutive days. Leukogram and erythrogram profiles were assessed. Nitric oxide and immunoglobulin levels together with phagocytic and lysozyme activities were estimated. Histologic examinations and histomorphometric analysis of splenic tissues were performed. Variations in the mRNA expression levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 were assessed. RESULTS: Anemic conditions, thrombocytopenia, leucocytopaenia simultaneous with lymphocytopaenia, monocytopenia, and esinopenia have been obvious following long term exposure to the tested food additives. Prominent exhaustion was noted in immunoglobulin and NO levels and in lysozyme and phagocytic activities. IFNγ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 were obviously upregulated in the groups exposed to food preservatives. CONCLUSION: These results confirmed that continued exposure to high levels of BHA, PS, SB, BA, and CP has haematotoxic and immunotoxic effects. Furthermore, these adverse effects are mediated by cytokine production.

Effects of the food additives sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium acetate, and citric acid on hemato-immunological pathological biomarkers in rats: Relation to PPAR-α, PPAR-γ and tnfα signaling pathway.

The food additives sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), sodium acetate (SA), and citric acid (CA) were evaluated for their hemato-immunotoxic effects. Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed into four groups and were orally administered water, SAPP (12.6 mg/kg), CA (180 mg/kg), or SA (13.5 mg /kg) daily for 90 days. Erythrogram and leukogram profiles were evaluated. The levels of lysozyme, nitric oxide, immunoglobulin, and phagocytic activity were measured. Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluations of splenic tissues were performed. Changes in the mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and γ (PPAR-α and PPAR-γ), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) genes were assessed. A significant leukopenic condition was observed with SAPP, while CA induced marked leukocytosis, and SA showed a lymphocytosis condition. Both the innate and humoral parameters were significantly depressed. Various pathological lesions were observed, including diffuse hyperplasia of the red pulp, depletion of the white pulp, and capsular and parenchymal fibrosis. A marked decrease in CD3 T-lymphocyte and CD20 B-lymphocyte immunolabeling in rats treated with SAPP and SA was evident. Marked downregulation of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ together with upregulation of TNF-α was recorded. These results indicate that high doses of SAPP, SA and CA exert hematotoxic and immunotoxic effects with long-term exposure.

Comparative haemato-immunotoxic impacts of long-term exposure to tartrazine and chlorophyll in rats.

The haemato-immunotoxic effects of the food colourants tartrazine and chlorophyll were evaluated. Thirty adult Sprague Dawley rats were distributed into three groups and orally administered water, tartrazine (1.35 mg/kg), or chlorophyll (1.35 mg/kg) daily for 90 days. Erythrogram and leukogram profiles were evaluated. The lysozyme, nitric oxide, phagocytic activity, and immunoglobulin levels were measured. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations of splenic tissues were conducted. Changes in the interleukin (IL) 1ß, 6, and 10 mRNA expression levels were assessed. In the tartrazine-treated rats, a significant anaemic condition and marked leukocytosis were observed. Both the innate and humoural parameters were significantly depressed. Different pathological lesions were observed, including red pulp haemorrhages, vacuolation of some splenic cells, focal hyperplasia of the white pulp, and capsular and parenchymal fibrosis. A marked increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) immunolabelling was evident. Marked upregulation of IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 was recorded. In contrast, the chlorophyll-treated rats showed minimal haemato-immune responses. These results indicate that tartrazine exerts haematotoxic and immunotoxic effects following long-term exposure, whereas chlorophyll is a less hazardous food colourant.