Assessment of surface water in the vicinity of fertilizer factory using fish and plants.

The genotoxic and toxic potential of polluted surface water exposed to a fertilizer factory effluent was evaluated using assays with fish (Cyprinus carpio) and plant (Lemna minor) model organisms. Beside classical physicochemical parameters, the contents of fluorides, some heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed as well. Surface water caused inhibition of plant growth and decrease of photosynthetic pigment content. Regarding DNA damage and oxidative stress parameters, both fish and plants showed similar response to the surface water. In confirmation to biochemical markers, histopathological analysis of gill and liver tissues revealed a higher incidence of lesions in fish exposed to polluted surface water. Generally, results obtained by biological monitoring were mostly in agreement with chemical analysis of the surface water, although several discrepancies were observed which might be due to difference in sensitivity of model organisms or in experimental conditions (laboratory and field exposure). The results imply that conventional chemical analysis should be extended to genotoxicity/toxicity assays as measured biological effects and the potential health hazard cannot be predicted based on the physicochemical characteristics of water samples alone.

Behavioral, morphological and histopathological effects of sublethal doses of quercetin on the species Polycelis felina (Dalyell).

The effect of quercetin was studied on the multi-eyed flatworm Polycelis felina (Daly.) in laboratory conditions. This is a very suitable test-organism available year-round in nature, easily maintained in the laboratory. The results showed that depending on the dose and recovery period quercetin caused locomotory (behavioral) changes in treated animals including aggregation in groups, resting and unsynchronized movements and twisting of particular body parts. Morphological changes in the form of depigmentation of certain body parts were the result of damage or deterioration ofreticular and parenchymal cells. Numerous basophilic bodies representing parts of damaged and decomposed cells were determined in the gastroderm between the third and seventh day after treatment. All histological preparations revealed significant deterioration of cellular material, and therefore a damaging effect of quercetin on the multi-eyed flatworm Polycelis felina (Daly.). We found an increased number of neoblasts and reticular cells on the third day after treatment, so we concluded that quercetin in the applied doses had a stimulating effect on cell division of neoblasts and reticular cells of treated flatworms.

Effect of Croatian propolis on diabetic nephropathy and liver toxicity in mice.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we examined the antioxidant effect of water soluble derivative of propolis (WSDP) and ethanolic (EEP) extract of propolis on renal and liver function in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. In addition, we examined whether different extract of propolis could prevent diabetic nephropathy and liver toxicity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation in vivo. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in Swiss albino mice with a single intravenous injection of alloxan (75 mg kg-1). Two days after alloxan injection, propolis preparations (50 mg kg-1 per day) were given intraperitoneally for 7 days in diabetic mice. Survival analysis and body weights as well as hematological and biochemical parameters were measured. The renal and liver oxidative stress marker malonaldehyde levels and histopathological changes were monitored in the liver and kidney of treated and control mice. RESULTS: Administration of propolis to diabetic mice resulted in a significant increase of body weight, haematological and immunological parameters of blood as well as 100% survival of diabetic mice. Alloxan-injected mice showed a marked increase in oxidative stress in liver and kidney homogenate, as determined by lipid peroxidation. Histopathological observation of the liver sections of alloxan-induced diabetic mice showed several lesions including cellular vacuolization, cytoplasmic eosinophilia and lymphocyte infiltrations, but with individual variability.Treatment of diabetic mice with propolis extracts results in decreased number of vacuolized cells and degree of vacuolization; propolis treatment improve the impairment of fatty acid metabolism in diabetes. Renal histology showed corpuscular, tubular and interstitial changes in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Test components did not improve renal histopathology in diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis preparations are able to attenuate diabetic hepatorenal damage, probably through its anti-oxidative action and its detoxification proccess as well as the potential to minimize the deleterious effects of free radicals on tissue. The protective role of propolis against the ROS induced damages in diabetic mice gives a hope that they may have similar protective action in humans.

Naringenin ameliorates pathological changes in liver and kidney of diabetic mice: a preliminary study.

The effect of naringenin, a flavonoid found in grapefruit, orange, and tomato, on lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys of alloxan-induced diabetic mice were investigated. Two days after alloxan injection (75 mg kg-1, i.v.), naringenin ethanolic solution (0.5 % v/v) was given to mice intraperitoneally (50 mg kg-1 per day) for seven days. Naringenin's impact on lipid peroxidation was measured by the 2-thiobarbituric acid test and histopathological changes were examined under a light microscope. Naringenin administration resulted in a significant decrease of lipid peroxidation level in liver and kidney tissue, as well as in a decreased number of vacuolated liver cells and degree of vacuolisation. Indications of tissue repair in kidney suggested that amelioration of diabetes-induced renal damage could be achieved over a longer period of time. Findings suggest that naringenin could be considered a dietary supplement in the prevention or treatment of diabetic complications and other diseases connected with oxidative stress, and gives a hope that it could show similar effects in the treatment of diabetes in humans.

Expression of e-selectin in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis: morphometric study.

Adhesion molecules may play an important role in the homing of T-cell subsets into allergen-exposed skin of atopic individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of adhesion molecules in atopic dermatitis skin lesions. Biopsies were obtained from lesions in 30 adult patients with atopic dermatitis and 10 healthy adults as controls. Biopsy specimens were studied by immunohistochemistry for the expression of E-selectin in epidermis and dermis cells. Results showed significant changes in the epithelial cell expression of E-selectin, which were especially pronounced in vascular endothelium of the dermis of atopic dermatitis patients.