Growth performance, mucosal immunity and disease resistance in goldfish (Carassius auratus) orally administered with Escherichia coli Strain Nissle 1917.

The current research aimed to shed light on the efficacy of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) on goldfish (……) growth, gut immunity, morphology, bacterial nutritional enzyme activity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Fish fed with EcN at 106, 107 and 108 CFU/g feed for 80 days showed an enhancement in growth better than control fish. The gut innate immunity in terms of lysozyme activity, immunoglobulin and total protein levels was increased in the treatment fish with the best result being observed in fish fed EcN at 108 CFU/ g. In addition, an increase was noted in the upregulation of immune-relevant genes, namely lysozyme, interleukin-1ß, inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor α of fish intestine. A marked surge in the number of proteolytic and heterotrophic bacteria was noted in the gut of fish nourished with the probiotic. Histological studies exhibited an improvement in the intestinal absorption surface area, intraepithelial lymphocyte count and goblet cell density. Significantly higher survival rate was obtained in fish fed EcN at 108 CFU/g compared with the fish fed with the basal diet. These data exhibited the beneficial effect of EcN on goldfish growth, digestive enzymes, intestine heterotrophic bacteria and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. This study confirmed the favorable outcomes resulting from the administration of EcN at108 CFU/g.

Differential expression of small heat shock proteins in the brain of broiler embryo; the effects of embryonic thermal manipulation.

Broilers are more vulnerable to high temperatures than mammals due to the feather cover, lack of sweat glands, fast growth and intensive breeding in commercial systems. Thermal stresses affect the function of various organs and change the expression profiles of hundreds of genes in the different tissues of broilers. Thermal manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis can increase heat tolerance in growing broilers. Small heat shock proteins (SHSPs) are a group of HSPs which participate in many cellular functions like response to different stressors. However, their role in the thermotolerance has not been fully elucidated. Ninety fertilized eggs were randomly divided into three groups (30 eggs/group; 10 eggs/replicate). Normal control (NC) eggs were incubated at 37.5 °C throughout the incubation period whereas heat stress (HS) and cold stress (CS) groups were kept at 41 °C and 33 °C from 15 to 17th day of incubation for 3 h each day, respectively. On day 20, samples from the cerebrums were harvested for histopathology and mRNA expression analyses of HSPB1, HSPB5, HSPB8, and HSPB9. There were no significant differences in survivability, defected embryos, hatchability, and body weight among treatments. TM had no major deleterious effects on the cerebral tissue except for mild degeneration in the HS group. HSPB1, HSPB5, HSPB8, and HSPB9 were expressed in the presence and absence of TM. All SHSP genes tested were downregulated in response to TM except for HSPB9 which was upregulated in the HS group. The highest change in gene expression due to TM observed for HSPB1. This study presents a broader understanding of mechanisms underlying response to TM in broilers. The results suggest that HSPB1, HSPB5, HSPB8, and HSPB9 are involved in thermotolerance in broilers and SHSPs could be involved in the gene expression profiling of TM. It may propose the use of nutritional supplements in the poultry industry to modulate SHSPs.

Beneficial effects of killed Tsukamurella inchonensis on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth, intestinal histology, immunological, and biochemical parameters.

Present study was conducted to investigate the effects of heat-killed Tsukamurella inchonensis on growth performance, gastrointestinal structure, immune response, and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout. Fish (mean weight 25 g) were fed basal diet (control), diets containing 2.48 × 108 colony-forming units (low-dose group) or 1.24 × 109 colony-forming units (high-dose group) of heat-killed Tsukamurella inchonensis per 1 kg of feed for 90 days. Results showed that growth performance was significantly enhanced in both treatment groups compared to the control group. The intestinal villus length and pyloric cecal fold length were mainly enhanced in the high-dose group. On the other hand, higher goblet cell percentage was shown with administration of dead Tsukamurella inchonensis in both treatment groups. Immune parameters such as alternative complement activity, immunoglobulin level, and hemagglutination titer were significantly higher in treatment groups than in fish fed in the control diet. Meanwhile, feeding heat-killed Tsukamurella inchonensis especially at higher dose caused a decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, uric acid, and lipid peroxidation product whereas no significant changes were noted in serum-specific marker enzymes levels, namely alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) by feeding both treatment diets compared to the control group. This study suggests that heat-killed Tsukamurella inchonensis especially at 1.24 × 109 colony-forming units had more potential to enhance growth, immunological parameters, and intestinal structure in rainbow trout.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells modified pathological changes and immunological responses in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rats possibly by the modulation of miRNA155 and miRNA133.

In the current experiment, we investigated the immune-modulatory potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and conditioned media (CM) in attenuating of chronic asthmatic changes in a rat model. Male rats were divided into control (C) and ovalbumin-sensitized (S) groups, which further allocated into three subgroups; rats received systemically 50 µl volume of PBS (C and S groups), CM (CSV and SSV groups) and rats received intravenous infusion of 2 × 106 bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMMSCs) (CCV and SCV groups). Two weeks later, the expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and IL-10, miRNA133, and miRNA155 was measured by real-time PCR. Pathological changes and the recruitment of rBMMSCs into pulmonary parenchyma were evaluated by histopathological and immunofluorescence analyses, respectively. The systemic injection of rBMMSCs, but not CM, decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-13, IL-10, miRNA133, miRNA155 and reduced pathological changes in sensitized rats as compared with other sensitized groups (p < 0.001 to p < 0.05). rBMMSCs transmigrated to lung tissue in cell-administrated rats, albeit intensity of asthmatic changes, in turn, affected the amount of recruited cells. Collectively, our data suggest the potential role of MSCs, but not CM, in reducing pathological changes possibly via the modulation of miRNA133 and miRNA155 during asthmatic changes.

The Protective Effect of α-Hederin, the Active Constituent of Nigella sativa, on Lung Inflammation and Blood Cytokines in Ovalbumin Sensitized Guinea Pigs.

In the present study, the preventive effect of two different concentrations of α-hederin, the active constituent of Nigella sativa, on lung inflammation and blood cytokines in ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Forty eight male adult guinea pigs were divided into control (C), sensitized (S) and sensitized pretreated groups; with thymoquinone (S+TQ), low dose (S+LAH) and high dose of α-hederin (S+HAH) and inhaled fluticasone propionate (S+FP). The lung histopathology and blood levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17 were assessed. Compared to sensitized animals, all pathological changes improved significantly in pretreated groups (p < 0.001 to p < 0.05). These improvements in α-hederin pretreated groups were similar to S+TQ and S+FP groups except cellular infiltration in S+LAH and S+HAH groups which was lower than S+TQ group (p < 0.05). The blood IL-4 and IL-17 levels in S+HAH groups showed a significant decrease compared to S group (p < 0.05) which were similar to S+TQ and S+FP groups. The level of IFN-γ in S+LAH and S+HAH groups increased significantly compared to S group (p < 0.05) which was higher than S+FP group (p < 0.05). Blood IL-4 in S+HAH group was significantly lower than S+LAH group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, α-hederin could attenuate the lung inflammation and improve the changes of cytokines like thymoquinone and fluticasone in used dosages.

Effects of the flavanone combination hesperetin-naringenin, and orange and grapefruit juices, on airway inflammation and remodeling in a murine asthma model.

We investigated whether flavanones, hesperetin-naringenin, orange, and grapefruit juices reduce airway inflammation and remodeling in murine chronic asthma model. To establish chronic asthma, mice received house dust mite (HDM) for 3 days in 2 weeks, followed by twice per week for 4 weeks. Concurrently, during the last 4 weeks, mice received hesperetin plus naringenin (HN), orange plus grapefruit juice (OGJ), orange juice (OJ), or grapefruit juice (GJ); whereas the asthmatic control (AC) group and non-asthmatic control (NC) group consumed water ad libitum. In histopathological examination, no goblet cells metaplasia was observed in the HN, OJ, and GJ groups; also, intra-alveolar macrophages decreased compared with those of the AC group. Hesperetin plus naringenin significantly decreased subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle hypertrophy in airways, and lung atelectasis compared with the AC group. Also, there was a reduction of subepithelial fibrosis in airways in OJ and GJ groups compared with AC group, but it was not noticed in OGJ group. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, macrophages numbers decreased in OJ and OGJ groups, whereas eosinophil numbers were increased in OJ group compared with NC group. Our finding revealed that hesperetin plus naringenin ameliorate airway structural remodeling more than orange juice and grapefruit juice in murine model of HDM-induced asthma.

Tiotropium effects on airway inflammatory events in the cat as an animal model for acute cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an inflammatory lung disease mainly caused by tobacco smoke inhalation. METHODS: Fifteen healthy adult male cats were categorized into 3 groups: (1) control group, (2) exposed to cigarette smoke (CS), and (3) exposed to CS treated with tiotropium. RESULTS: Increases in clinical signs and airway responsiveness in CS cats were found compared to control animals. The airway hyperresponsiveness and clinical signs were significantly attenuated by treatment with tiotropium. The CS-induced pulmonary release of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha was reduced in the tiotropium group. Exposure to CS significantly increased total inflammatory cells number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with tiotropium. The number of macrophages, eosinophils and neutrophils and lymphocytes was increased after exposure to CS. Tiotropium significantly reduced the number of all these cells. Perivascular, peribronchiolar infiltration of inflammatory cells and Reid index increased in the CS group. Treatment with tiotropium significantly reduced these parameters to control level. Enhanced lipid peroxidation with concomitant reduction of antioxidants status was observed in the CS group. Tiotropium significantly reduced the serum, lung lavage, lung, and tracheal tissue lipid peroxides to near control levels. Tiotropium also decreased lung and tracheal protein leakage, and prevented the reduction of total antioxidant status in serum, lung lavage, lung and tracheal tissue of the CS group. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoke increases airway responsiveness and inflammation in a cat model of CS induced lung inflammation. It can effectively be reduced by treatment with tiotropium.

Dual-frequency ultrasound activation of nanomicellar doxorubicin in targeted tumor chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the therapeutic effect of dual-frequency sonication (3 MHz and 28 kHz) at low intensity levels in combination with micellar doxorubicin in the treatment of a tumor model of spontaneous breast adenocarcinoma in Balb/c mice. METHODS: We used sonication frequencies 28 kHz and 3 MHz and their dual combinations in the progressive wave mode to enhance acoustic cavitation. Then, the antitumor effect of the simultaneous dual-frequency ultrasound (28 kHz and 3 MHz) at low intensity levels in combination with doxorubicin and micellar doxorubicin injection was investigated in a spontaneous model of breast adenocarcinoma in Balb/c mice. Sixty-three tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into seven groups: control, sham, sonication with dual frequency, doxorubicin without sonication, doxorubicin with dual-frequency sonication, micellar doxorubicin without sonication, and micellar doxorubicin with dual-frequency sonication. The tumor volume change relative to the initial volume, tumor growth inhibition ratio, the required times for each tumor to reach two (T 2) and five (T 5) times its initial volume, and survival period were the tumor growth delay parameters which were calculated and recorded at various times after treatment. RESULTS: The results of the combination of frequencies 28 kHz (0.04 W/cm(2)) and 3 MHz (2.00 W/cm(2)) showed remarkable enhancement of the cavitation activity compared with single-frequency sonication (P < 0.05). The micellar doxorubicin injection with sonication group showed a significant difference in the relative volume percent parameter compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, the T 2 and T 5 times in the micellar doxorubicin with sonication group were significantly higher than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Also, the survival period of the mice in the micellar doxorubicin with sonication group was significantly longer than in the other groups (P < 0.05). These findings were verified histopathologically. CONCLUSION: This study shows that simultaneous combined dual-frequency ultrasound sonication in continuous mode is effective in producing cavitation activity at low intensity. We conclude that dual-frequency sonication with micellar doxorubicin injection extends survival in a murine breast adenocarcinoma model.

Trichoderma harzianum as fungicide and symbiont: is it safe for human and animals?

Trichoderma species are considered as biological control agents against numerous phytopathogenic fungi. They are also helpful for plants as plant symbiont. This study aimed to identify harmful effects of Trichoderma in laboratory animals. In the first step, inhalation toxicity was studied. Six rats as control received a spray of bio-formulation without spores. Ten rats as treatment A received    1.00 × 106 colony-forming unit (CFU) of Trichoderma spores and ten rats as treatment B received 1.00 × 107 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores. The harmful effects of Trichoderma were obvious especially in the lungs, liver and kidney, and some blood parameters were abnormal. In the second step, we studied acute oral toxicity by gavage. Four rats as control received bio-formulation without spores. Six rats as treatment A received 1.00 × 106 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores. Six rats as treatment B received 1.00 × 107 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores. The harmful effects of Trichoderma were noticeable more in the liver and kidney tissues. For dermal toxicity study, two rabbits as control received bio-formulation without spores by rubbing on the surface of the skin. Treatment groups A and B received 1.00 × 106 and 1.00 × 107 CFU per test of Trichoderma spores, respectively (four rabbits for each group). The liver and kidney and some blood parameters were abnormal. Trichoderma has some harmful effects on tissues and organs and although it is a natural product, it should be used under cautions.

Effects of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 on arsenic-challenged goldfish (Carassius auratus): histological evidence.

Arsenic (As) contamination in natural water resources has become a great disaster throughout the world posing serious health problems. The current study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) against As exposure in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Fish were fed three times a day with 4.00% of body weight of diet with different doses (0.00, 1.00 × 106, 1.00 × 107 and 1.00 × 108 CFU g-1) of EcN for 80 days and then, challenged with 20.00 mg L-1 As for 96 hr under stagnant flow. Physicochemical characteristics of the inlet water were temperature of 25.10 ± 0.70 ˚C, pH of 7.30 ± 0.20 and dissolved oxygen of 7.30 ± 0.30 mg L-1 and 50.00% of water was exchanged once a week. Afterwards, fish were euthanized with a clove oil solution (50.00 µL L-1) and tissues were dissected from each fish and immediately fixed in 10.00% buffered formalin. The histopathological results indicated that the supplemented EcN did not have any side effects on various organs. It was also observed that the damages to kidney, liver, gill and skin were pronounced in fish exposed to As. However, the histopathological damages induced by As in fish tissues were less pronounced in the EcN-treated groups compared to the fish fed with the basal diet. Lamellar blood congestion in gills and epidermal cells detachment from the skin surface as well as hepatocytes, enterocytes and tubular necrosis were reduced in treated groups. These findings indicate that EcN has the potential to ameliorate the As-induced organ toxicity.

In Vivo Toxicity of Oral Administrated Nano-SiO2: Can Food Additives Increase Apoptosis?

Nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) has a great deal of application in food packaging, as antibacterial food additives, and in drug delivery systems but this nanoparticle, despite its wide range of utilizations, can generate destructive effects on organs such as the liver, kidney, and lungs. This study is aimed at investigating the toxicological effects of nano-SiO2 through apoptotic factors. For this purpose, 40 female rats in 4 groups (n = 10) received 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg/day of nano-SiO2 at 20-30 nm size orally for 20 days. Relative expression of Caspase3, Bcl-2, and BAX genes in kidney and liver was evaluated in real time-PCR. The results indicated the overexpression of BAX and Caspase3 genes in the liver and kidney in groups receiving 300 and 900 mg/kg/day of nano-SiO2. Bcl-2 gene was up-regulated in the liver and kidney at 600 mg/kg/day compared to the control group. Overexpression of the Bcl-2 gene in the kidney in 300 and 900 mg/kg/day recipient groups was observed (P ≤ 0.05). Histopathological examination demonstrated 600 mg/kg/day hyperemia in the kidney and lungs. In addition, at 900 mg/kg/day were distinguished scattered necrosis and hyperemia in the liver. The rate of epithelialization in the lungs increased. The nano-SiO2 at 300 and 900 mg/kg/day can induce more cytotoxicity in the liver and lung after oral exposure. However, cytotoxicity of nano-SiO2 at 600 mg/kg/day in the kidney and lung was noticed. Hence, the using of nano-SiO2 as an additive and food packaging should be more considered due to their deleterious effects.

Dietary astaxanthin (Lucantin® Pink) mitigated oxidative stress induced by diazinon in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The potential of commercial astaxanthin on growth, biochemical factors, and antioxidant-related gene expression following a challenge with diazinon were studied in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish (~ 20.70 g) were fed diets containing commercial astaxanthin (ASX) at 0.00 (CTR and ASX0), 0.50 (ASX1), 2.00 (ASX2), and 5.00 (ASX3) g kg-1 for 60 days. Afterwards, the treated fish (ASX1, ASX2, ASX3) as well as the fish in ASX0 group were challenged with diazinon (0.11 mg L-1) for 96 hr whereas fish in the CTR group was not challenged with diazinon. Results showed that growth pattern improved significantly with all enriched diets compared to the ASX0 group. Metabolic enzyme activities, including alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase decreased in ASX2 and ASX3 groups with respect to the ASX0 group. Serum antioxidant status also showed the same pattern with enhancement in the fish fed with the ASX2 and ASX3 supplemented diets. Feeding the fish with astaxanthin, particularly in the ASX3 group, up-regulated the expression of some antioxidant-relevant genes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the kidney and liver. Besides, the histopathological damages in kidneys and liver induced by diazinon were less pronounced in the ASX2 and ASX3 groups compared to the ASX0 group. In conclusion, commercial astaxanthin, especially at 5.00 g kg-1, enhanced the growth performance and ameliorated the oxidative stress induced by diazinon in rainbow trout.

The effect of co-administration of artemisinin and N-acetyl cysteine on antioxidant status, spermatological parameters and histopathology of testis in adult male mice.

OBJECTIVES: This in vivo study aimed to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of artemisinin (Art) alone or together with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on spermatological indices, antioxidant status, and histopathological parameters of testicular tissue in adult male mice. METHODS: Six groups of five healthy male mice (25-30 g) were randomly assigned to different experimental groups. These groups received DMSO and corn oil (0.1%) as an Art solvent (Control), 50 mg kg-1 Art (Art-50), 250 mg kg-1 Art (Art-250), 50 mg kg-1 Art + 150 mg kg-1 NAC (Art-50+NAC-150), 250 mg kg-1 Art + 150 mg kg-1 NAC (Art-250+NAC-150) and 150 mg kg-1 NAC (NAC-150) for a period of 7 days. Testes and epididymis were prepared to evaluate the malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), spermatological indices, and histological parameters. RESULTS: We showed that the high dose of Art (Art-250) significantly reduced the sperm count, motility, viability, and the activity of CAT and increased the levels of MDA compared to the control group. Also, the overdose of Art caused adverse changes in testicular tissue. Co-administration of NAC with Art (Art-250+NAC-150) corrected the adverse effects of Art. CONCLUSIONS: The current study reports that a high dose of Art affects, spermatological parameters, antioxidant/stress oxidative status of the male reproductive system, and NAC is capable neutralize all adverse effects caused by Art.

Effect of dietary Ergosan on growth performance, digestive enzymes, intestinal histology, hematological parameters and body composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Present study examined the effects of Ergosan on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, hematological parameters and gastrointestinal structure of rainbow trout. Rainbow trout (mean weight 100-110 g) were fed basal diet (control) and diet treated with Aquavac Ergosan (5 g kg⁻¹ of diet) for 50 days. Results of this study showed that Ergosan supplementation significantly increased weight gain (94.27 g vs. 65.04 g), specific growth rate (4.09 vs. 3.10) and feed intake (136.85 g vs. 111.22 g) and decreased feed conversion ratio (1.43 vs. 2.03) compared to control (P<0.05). Lipase activity and leukocyte and erythrocyte count also increased in juvenile fish fed Ergosan-treated diet compared to control (P<0.05). Light microscopy demonstrated that both groups of fish displayed normal morphology of proximal intestine and pyloric caeca. In Ergosan-treated group, higher percentage of goblet cell was shown in proximal intestine and pyloric caeca. Present study suggests that Ergosan effectively promotes growth performance, lipase activity and gastrointestinal structure in rainbow trout.

The effects of L-carnitine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on performance, antioxidant parameters, and expression of genes associated with cholesterol metabolism in laying hens.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the production performance, antioxidant parameters, egg yolk cholesterol content, and expression of genes related to cholesterol metabolism in laying hens fed L-carnitine (LC) and L-carnitine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (LC-SLNs). A total of 350 Hy-Line (w-36) laying hens at 50 wk of age (1520.0 ± 0.7 g) were randomly assigned to 35 units (5 replicates and 50 hens in each treatment) with seven dietary treatments as a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based diets, including 1) Control (basal diet); 2) Basal diet +50 mg/kg LC (50LC); 3) Basal diet +100 mg/kg LC (100LC); 4) Basal diet +150 mg/kg LC (150LC); 5) Basal diet +50 mg/kg LC-SLNs (50LC-SLNs); 6) Basal diet +100 mg/kg LC-SLNs (100LC-SLNs) and 7) Basal diet +150 mg/kg LC-SLNs (150LC-SLNs). Results showed that the 50LC-SLNs had the least feed conversion ratio (FCR) in all groups (P < 0.05). The dietary supplementation of 100LC-SLNs decreased (P < 0.01) the egg yolk cholesterol concentration from 14.71 to 11.76 mg/g yolk (25%). The 50LC-SLNs group produced the most total antioxidant capacity with a difference of 58.44% compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The greatest amount of total superoxide dismutase was found for 50LC-SLNs (P < 0.05), while the glutathione peroxidase was not affected by the experimental treatments (P > 0.05). Serum malondialdehyde levels were reduced by 50.52% in laying hens fed 50LC-SLNs compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The transcript level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the LC and LC-SLNs groups. The expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase was significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the plain LC (∼83%) and LC-SLNs (∼91%) groups. The inclusion of LC-SLNs in the diet increased (P < 0.05) the villus height and decreased villus width in all three parts of the small intestine. Dietary inclusion of LC was found to reduce egg yolk and serum cholesterol content by improving the production performance and antioxidant status. The LC-SLNs groups were more affected than the plain LC groups, which may be attributed to the increased bioavailability of LC.

Effects of artemisinin in broiler chickens following chronic oral intake.

Artemisinin has been used for centuries to treat malaria, intestinal tract helminthosis, diarrhea, and used as an antipyretic and sedative agent, but the usage in veterinary medicine is a new field. Recently, it has been used successfully to control experimental poultry coccidiosis. The present study aimed to determine the effects of different doses of artemisinin in broiler chickens with chronic usage. Sixty birds divided into one control and four treatment groups that fed rations mixed with artemisinin at doses of 17, 34, 68, and 136 ppm for 36 days. During the experiment, birds showed no clinical signs except anemia. In microscopic examinations, heart, lung, and spleen had no lesion, but liver, kidney, and brain showed various lesions. Degenerative lesions like intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions were seen in both kidney and liver but fatty change was seen only in liver. There was no relationship between severity of the liver lesions and drug dosage. Central chromatolysis, scattered neuronal necrosis, and mild spongy changes were observed in five regions of the brain that were chosen for sectioning (motor cortex, cerebellar nuclei, midbrain nuclei, and hindbrain nuclei at two separate levels). Severity of lesions in brain was dose-dependent, and cerebral cortex was the most vulnerable area. Haematologic tests showed lower values for hematocrit and red blood cell count dose-dependently. In conclusion, artemisinin is a promising drug for prevention and control of coccidiosis in broiler chickens and its side effects are not too much serious especially at therapeutic doses.

The Protective Effect of Artemisia spicigera Ethanolic Extract against Cryptosporidium parvum Infection in Immunosuppressed Mice.

BACKGROUND: A specific treatment has not yet developed for cryptosporidiosis, and some of the used drugs had side effects in immunodeficient patients. The goal of an appropriate remedy is to remove symptoms and improve immune responses in hosts. The current study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Artemisia spicigera ethanolic extract in experimentally infected immunosuppressed mice. METHODS: Thirty six NMRI mice, 4-6 wk old, were randomly divided into six equal groups. C1: uninfected, treated control; C2: infected, untreated control; T1, T2, T3, and P: infected, treated with 0.2, 2, and 20 mg/ml extract, and 5mg/ml paromomycin, respectively. Mice were experimentally infected by oral administration of 104 oocysts/animal of Cryptosporidium parvum and treated orally for eight days per 12h, starting 12h before experimental infection. The presence of oocyst shedding, weight gain/loss, and the histopathology of ileum sections were examined. RESULTS: Results revealed that oocyst shedding was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in treatment groups. There was no significant difference between the mean of weight gain/loss in the infected control and treated groups. Histopathological analysis of ileum sections further supported the parasitological findings. CONCLUSION: Artemisia spicigera had acceptable efficacy as a therapeutic agent for cryptosporidiosis.

The Roles of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Pectin in Preventing Postoperative Sepsis and Intestinal Adaptation in a Rat Model of Short Bowel Syndrome.

One of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in those with short bowel syndrome (SBS) is sepsis, caused by bacterial translocation (BT). Since synbiotics can cease gut-related bacterial overgrowth, they may serve as a supportive dietary supplement-based strategy after gastrointestinal surgery. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and pectin on BT and gut adaptation after extensive small bowel resection in the rat. Forty rats were distributed in four groups. Group A suffered laparotomy, group B suffered gut transection and reanastomosis, SBS rats (group C) suffered 75% small gut resection, and finally, Group D suffered gut resection and treated with a synbiotic cocktail from day 7 before the surgery to day 14 after it. Intestinal structural changes and BT to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, portal blood, and peripheral blood were detected on day 15 post-surgery. Treatment with a synbiotic cocktail led to a considerable reduction in bacterial translocation to liver and portal vein (degree II) compared with SBS untreated rats. Also, synbiotic administration significantly increased jejunum and ileum villus height and crypt depth, ileum villus width, and percentage of goblet cells in jejunum and ileum compared with SBS rats. In the rat model of short bowel syndrome, L. acidophilus, and pectin, as a potential synbiotic compound, could decrease the BT from the gut and improve the bowel adaptation.