Ameliorative effects of propolis and wheat germ oil on acute toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice are associated with reduction in parasite burden and restoration of histopathological changes in the brain, uterus, and kidney.

Toxoplasmosis continues to be a prevalent parasitic zoonosis with a global distribution. This disease is caused by an intracellular parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii, and the development of effective novel drug targets to combat it is imperative. There is limited information available on the potential advantages of wheat germ oil (WGO) and propolis, both individually and in combination, against the acute phase of toxoplasmosis. In this study, acute toxoplasmosis was induced in Swiss albino mice, followed by the treatment of infected animals with WGO and propolis, either separately or in combination. After 10 days of experimental infection and treatment, mice from all groups were sacrificed, and their brains, uteri, and kidneys were excised for histopathological assessment. Additionally, the average parasite load in the brain was determined through parasitological assessment, and quantification of the parasite was performed using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting gene amplification. Remarkably, the study found that treating infected animals with wheat germ oil and propolis significantly reduced the parasite load compared to the control group that was infected but not treated. Moreover, the group treated with a combination of wheat germ oil and propolis exhibited a markedly greater reduction in parasitic load compared to the other groups. Similarly, the combination treatment effectively restored the histopathological changes observed in the brain, uterus, and kidney, and the scoring of these reported lesions confirmed these findings. In summary, the present results reveal intriguing insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of wheat germ oil and propolis in the treatment of acute toxoplasmosis.

Skin histopathological responses of Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) to transportation in water with and without salt.

Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) is a well-known economic fish species that can thrive under the right environmental circumstances. The transport of live fish, either for food or as companion animals, presents a big issue for animal welfare at the same time it is considered one of stressful conditions. Hence, the present study investigated the skin histopathological responses of O. niloticus that were attributed to stress and salt addition during transportation. Three experimental groups of O. niloticus the 1st is the control non-transported group (CG), the 2nd is transport in water without salt (PT-S) and the 3rd is transport in water containing 5gL- 1salt (PT + S), the last 2 groups were transported in 5 h transport model. Results indicate that the skin of PT-S fish showed a marked decrease in epidermal thickness, decreased number of goblet cells, and an increase in the sub-epidermal and dermal pigments with the presence of large edematous vacuoles. Fish skin from PT + S demonstrated mild hydropic swelling in epidermal cells with normal goblet (mucous) cells density, and more or less normal melanin pigment distribution in sub epidermis and on the dermis layers, however, dermis showed mild edematous spaces. Scanning microscopy of PT-S skin tissue showed few scratched white patches among normal regions that may represent a thickened surface with the decreased number of goblets cell opening, while the PT + S group showed moderate preservation of surface skin architectures with the presence of goblet (mucous) cells opening in spite of presence of slight thickened white patches. The estimated total lesion changes present in PT-S group showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) compared with the control (CG) group. On the other hand, PT + S showed significant (P < 0.001) improvement in the overall previously recorded changes compared with the PT-S group, and a non- significant change in the histological architectures compared with the control group. Our findings underlined the importance of skin and its mucous cover health during transportation. The use 5 gL- 1salt during O. niloticus transportation appears to preserve the surface skin features, and keep the goblet (mucous) cells open to the external surface, and may act as a deterrent for the release of mucus from goblet (mucous) cells in response to stress and lessen the stress of transportation.

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] improved blood glucose and restored histopathological alterations in splenic tissues in a rat model with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes through CD8+ T cells and NF-kß expression.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic syndrome that involves dysfunction of spleen and other lymphoid organs. Medicinal plants, including okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), were used widely for diabetes treatment. Scarce data are available about the potential anti-diabetic effects of okra, the histopathological alterations in splenic tissues and the mechanistic pathways underlying this association. The current research investigated the effects of okra pod extract on the biochemical parameters and expression of CD8+ T cells and nuclear factor kappa (NF-k) B and releasing proinflammatory cytokines in spleen in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat models. A total of 50 mature male Wister albino rats were divided into five isolated groups; the first served as control (untreated) animals, the second (DM group) diabetes induced by STZ (at a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight, administered intraperitoneally), the third group (DM + Insulin): diabetic rats administered insulin subcutaneously (10 units/kg bw/day) daily for 4 weeks, the fourth group was administrated 400 mg/kg okra extract daily for 4 weeks, and diabetic induced rats in the fifth group were administrated 400 mg/kg okra extract daily for 4 weeks. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity in Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench was studied, and the content of phenolic compounds in okra pods was estimated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Diabetes induction led to decreased body weight, increased blood glucose levels. Capsular thickness was significantly increased, white pulp was widely dispersed, and mature lymphocytes in the periphery were also drastically decreased, with thick follicular arteries, necrosis, and depletion of lymphocytes in the germinal center. Red pulp revealed severe congestion and degenerative changes, deposition of hemosiderin granules and lymphocytic depletion. In addition, collagen fiber deposition was increased also in this group. The induction of diabetes exaggerated NF-kß expression and mediated downregulation of the expression of CD8+ T cells in spleen tissue. Interestingly, oral administration of okra extracts post diabetes induction could mitigate and reverse such adverse effects. Altogether, our study points out the potential benefits of okra in improving blood glucose levels and restoring histopathological alterations in splenic tissues through CD8+ T cells and NF-kß expression in a diabetic rat model.

Monitoring the immune response of macrophages in tuberculous granuloma through the expression of CD68, iNOS and HLA-DR in naturally infected beef cattle.

Bovine tuberculosis still represents a universal threat that creates a wider range of public and animal health impacts. One of the most important steps in the pathogenesis of this disease and granuloma formation is the phagocytosis of tuberculous bacilli by macrophages. Mycobacteria replicate in macrophages, which are crucial to the pathophysiology of mycobacterial infections; however, scarce information is available about the dynamics of the granuloma-stage immunological response. Therefore, immunohistochemistry was used in this work to evaluate the expression of CD68, iNOS, and HLA-DR in different stages of TB granulomas from naturally infected cattle with tuberculosis. Two thousand, one hundred and fifty slaughtered beef cattle were examined during the period from September 2020 to March 2022. Sixty of them showed gross tuberculous pulmonary lesions and samples were collected from all of them for histopathological examination, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, and bacteriological culturing. Selected samples that yielded a positive result for ZN and mycobacterial culturing were subjected to an immunohistochemical study of CD68, iNOS, and HLA-DR expression by macrophages according to granuloma stages. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the immunolabeling of CD68+, iNOS+, and HLA-DR+ macrophages significantly reduced as the stage of granuloma increased from stage I to stage IV (P < 0.003, P < 0.002, and P < 0.002, respectively). The distribution of immunolabeled macrophages was similar for the three markers, with immunolabeled macrophages distributed throughout early-stage granulomas (I, II), and surrounding the necrotic core in late-stage granulomas (III, IV). Our results suggest a polarization to the pro-inflammatory environment and increased expression of CD68+, iNOS+, and HLA-DR+ macrophages in the early stages of granulomas (I, II), which may play a protective role in the immune response of naturally infected beef cattle with tuberculosis.

Melatonin downregulates the increased hepatic alpha-fetoprotein expression and restores pancreatic beta cells in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model: a clinical, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and descriptive histopathological study.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder. Hepatopathy is one of the serious effects of DM Melatonin (MT) is a potent endogenous antioxidant that can control insulin output. However, little information is available about the potential association between melatonin and hepatic alpha-fetoprotein expression in diabetes. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the influence of MT on diabetes-related hepatic injuries and to determine how ß-cells of the pancreas in diabetic rats respond to MT administration. Materials and methods: Forty rats were assigned to four groups at random (ten animals per group). Group I served as a normal control group. Group II was induced with DM, and a single dose of freshly prepared streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body weight) was intraperitoneally injected. In Group III, rats received 10 mg/kg/day of intraperitoneal melatonin (IP MT) intraperitoneally over a period of 4 weeks. In Group IV (DM + MT), following the induction of diabetes, rats received MT (the same as in Group III). Fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and serum insulin levels were assessed at the end of the experimental period. Serum liver function tests were performed. The pancreas and liver were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically for insulin and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) antibodies, respectively. Results: MT was found to significantly modulate the raised blood glucose, HbA1c, and insulin levels induced by diabetes, as well as the decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Furthermore, MT attenuated diabetic degenerative changes in the pancreas and the hepatic histological structure, increased the ß-cell percentage area, and decreased AFP expression in the liver tissue. It attenuated diabetes-induced hepatic injury by restoring pancreatic ß-cells; its antioxidant effect also reduced hepatocyte injury. Conclusion: Collectively, the present study confirmed the potential benefits of MT in downregulating the increased hepatic alpha-fetoprotein expression and in restoring pancreatic ß-cells in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model, suggesting its promising role in the treatment of diabetes.

Corrigendum: Melatonin ameliorates serobiochemical alterations and restores the cardio-nephro diabetic vascular and cellular alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1089733.].

Melatonin ameliorates serobiochemical alterations and restores the cardio-nephro diabetic vascular and cellular alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Melatonin possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic properties. Diabetes mellitus (DM) induces several physiopathological changes in body organs, which could be observed lately after systemic failure. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the serobiochemical changes and the histopathological picture in the diabetic heart and the kidney early before chronic complications and highlight the association between hyperglycemia, glomerular alterations, and cardiovascular changes. In addition, the role of melatonin in the treatment of cardio-nephro diabetic vascular and cellular adverse changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was also studied. A total of 40 mature Wistar albino rats were distributed into five groups; (1) control untreated rats, (2) diabetic mellitus untreated (DM) rats, in which DM was induced by the injection of streptozotocin (STZ), (3) control melatonin-treated (MLT), (4) melatonin-treated diabetic (DM + MLT) rats, in which melatonin was injected (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 4 weeks, and (5) insulin-treated diabetic (DM + INS) rats. The serum biochemical analysis of diabetic STZ rats showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the concentrations of blood glucose, total oxidative capacity (TOC), CK-MB, endothelin-1, myoglobin, H-FABP, ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine as compared to control rats. In contrast, there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in serum concentration of insulin, total antioxidative capacity (TAC), total nitric oxide (TNO), and total protein level in DM rats vs. the control rats. Significant improvement in the serobiochemical parameters was noticed in both (DM + MLT) and (DM + INS) groups as compared with (DM) rats. The histological examination of the DM group revealed a disorder of myofibers, cardiomyocyte nuclei, and an increase in connective tissue deposits in between cardiac tissues. Severe congestion and dilation of blood capillaries between cardiac muscle fibers were also observed. The nephropathic changes in DM rats revealed various deteriorations in glomeruli and renal tubular cells of the same group. In addition, vascular alterations in the arcuate artery at the corticomedullary junction and interstitial congestion take place. Melatonin administration repaired all these histopathological alterations to near-control levels. The study concluded that melatonin could be an effective therapeutic molecule for restoring serobiochemical and tissue histopathological alterations during diabetes mellitus.

Parasitological, Molecular, and Histopathological Investigation of the Potential Activity of Propolis and Wheat Germ Oil against Acute Toxoplasmosis in Mice.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic zoonoses that affects all vertebrates. The drugs most commonly used against toxoplasmosis have many side effects, making the development of new antiparasitic drugs a big challenge. The present study evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness of novel herbal treatments, including propolis and wheat germ oil (WGO), against acute toxoplasmosis. A total of 50 albino mice were divided into five groups: group 1 (G1) (non-infected and non-treated); group 2 (G2) (infected without treatment); group 3 (G3) (treated with propolis); group 4 (G4) (treated with WGO); group 5 (G5) (treated with a combination of propolis and WGO). The effects of the herbal substances on different organs, mainly liver, spleen, and lungs, were investigated using parasitological, molecular, and histopathological examinations. The results of parasitological examination demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in the parasitic load between treated groups (G3, G4, and G5) compared to the control positive group (G2). These differences were represented by a significant reduction in the parasite load in stained tissue smears from the liver obtained from the animals treated with propolis (G3) compared to the parasite load in the positive control group. Similarly, animals (G4) treated with WGO exhibited a significant reduction in the parasite load versus the positive control group, while the lowest parasite load was found in G5, treated with propolis and WGO. Quantification of the parasite burden through molecular methods (PCR) revealed similar findings represented by reduction in the parasite burden in all treated groups with WGO and propolis as compared to the control group. Importantly, these previous parasitological and molecular findings were accompanied by a marked improvement in the histopathological picture of the liver, spleen, and lungs. In conclusion, propolis and WGO showed a good combination of therapeutic efficacy against acute toxoplasmosis.

Melatonin ameliorates the adrenal and pancreatic alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Clinical, biochemical, and descriptive histopathological studies.

Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of melatonin in diabetic rats. However, limited studies have been conducted on the potential effects of melatonin on the descriptive histopathological and morphometric findings in different compartments of the adrenal glands in diabetic animal models. In this study, using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model, we sought to examine histological alterations in the pancreas and adrenal glands and observe the effect of the administration of melatonin on the histopathology and morphology of the pancreas and the adrenal gland cortex and medulla that are altered by STZ-induced hyperglycemia. Rats were randomly assigned to four different groups: Group I, normal control; Group II, melatonin group (MT) (10 mg/kg/day); Group III, (diabetic STZ group), and Group IV, diabetic (STZ) + melatonin group (MT). Throughout the experiment, the animals' fasting blood sugar levels were measured. Blood was obtained to determine the animals' cumulative blood sugar levels after sacrification. For histological and morphometrical evaluations, the pancreatic and adrenal gland tissues were dissected and processed. Our results showed that diabetic rats receiving melatonin significantly (P < 0.05) improved their fasting blood sugar and cumulative blood sugar levels compared to the diabetic group not receiving melatonin. Furthermore, histopathological examinations of the pancreatic and adrenal tissues of the diabetic rats indicated the occurrence of severe histopathological and morphometric changes. Morphometric analysis of the adrenals indicated a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the thickness of the cortex zones [zona glomerulosa (ZG), zona fasciculata (ZF), and zona reticularis (ZR)] for the diabetic STZ group compared with other groups, and a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the diameter of the in adrenal gland medullas in the diabetic STZ rats compared to the other groups. Furthermore, treatment with melatonin restored these changes in both the pancreatic and adrenal gland tissues and produced a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in the cortex and medulla thickness compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Overall, melatonin significantly reduced the hyperglycemic levels of glucose in diabetic rats and reversed the majority of histopathological alterations in the tissues of the pancreas and adrenals, demonstrating its anti-diabetic activity.

Wheat Germ Oil and Propolis Decrease Parasite Burden and Restore Marked Histopathological Changes in Liver and Lung in Mice with Chronic Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Its effects can be critical in immunocompromised patients. However, there is a limited availability of effective, low-toxicity drugs against this disease, particularly in its chronic form. The present study evaluated the effect of propolis and wheat germ oil (WGO) as safe, natural products to reduce Toxoplasma cysts in experimentally infected mice. For the experiment, five groups (10 mice per group) were examined: Group 1: negative control (noninfected, nontreated); Group 2: positive control (infected, nontreated); Group 3: infected and treated with WGO at a dose of 0.2 mg/1.5 mL per kg body weight/day; Group 4: infected and treated with 0.1 mL propolis extract/day; and Group 5: infected and treated with a combination of WGO and propolis at the same doses as Group 3 and 4. After the mice were sacrificed, liver and lung specimens underwent histopathological examination, and the parasite burden was investigated by parasitological methods and quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Notably, the results showed a substantial decrease in parasitic burden in Group 5 compared to the control group. These results were further confirmed by molecular analysis and quantification of the DNA concentration of the Toxoplasma P29 gene after treatment in all tested samples. Furthermore, the combination of propolis and WGO restored all histopathological changes in the liver and lungs. Taken together, these findings provide remarkably promising evidence of the effects of the combination of WGO and propolis against chronic toxoplasmosis in mice.

Novel insights on the potential activity of propolis and wheat germ oil against chronic toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice.

The use of apitherapy and natural herbal medicines for combating toxoplasmosis has garnered major attention from many researchers. However, there is no available information regarding the potential use of a combination of propolis and wheat germ oil (WGO) in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. In the present study, the potential effects of propolis, WGO, and their combination in the treatment of chronic toxoplasmosis in Swiss albino mice were investigated. Following induction of chronic toxoplasmosis, the potential antiparasitic effects of these substances were evaluated by parasitological assessment and by counting of Toxoplasma cysts. Additionally, the effects of the treatments on parasite loads were analyzed using TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR targeting the Toxoplasma P29 gene followed by investigation of the major histopathological changes in the brain, uterus, and kidney. Interestingly, the combination of propolis and WGO significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased the parasite burden in experimental animals compared with burdens seen in groups treated with propolis or WGO alone. Furthermore, the quantification of the DNA concentrations of Toxoplasma P29 gene after the treatment with propolis and WGO revealed a reduction in parasite load in treated groups versus the control group (infected untreated animals). Importantly, the severity of histopathological lesions was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved following treatment with propolis and WGO. Collectively, the present study indicated a potential novel role for propolis and WGO as an active apitherapy and natural herbal medication for treating chronic toxoplasmosis, combat the disease, and which could also help overcome the side effects of chemical drugs.

Effect of cultured white soft cheese on the histopathological changes in the kidneys and liver of albino rats.

Three different types of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus thermophilus S3855) were used to manufacture white soft cheese. The resultant white soft cheeses were pickled for 28 days at refrigerator temperatures and were fed to the experimental rats. The chemical and microbiological analyses of white soft cheese were conducted at different storage periods (fresh, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days). The pH values and protein content of white soft cheese gradually decreased during the storage peroid. Conversely, the moisture content, titratable acidity, and fat/DM % of white soft cheese were found to increase with of the increase in pickling periods of up to 28 days. Microbiologically, the total viable count of bacteria in the control samples was lower than that in the other treatments. Furthermore, the treatments containing the L. helveticus and L. rhamnosus strains had the highest lactoacilli counts whereas the treatment containing the S. thermophilus strain had the highest streptococci counts. Twenty-five male Albino rats were used for experiemntal technique. Rats were fed with 70% basal diet with addition of 30% white soft cheese. Several pathological findings were present in all experimental groups apart from the control rats, and the kidney samples exhibited renal vascular congestion especially in the cortical area. The changes of the glomeruli comprise atrophy, distortion, hypocellularity of the glomerular tuft, and focal lymphoid cell reactions. The renal tubular epithelium showed a series of degenerative changes ranging up to necrosis. The liver samples showed variable hepatic injury in the form of thickening in the Glisson capsule, as well as dissociation and disorganization of hepatic cords. Hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, presence of focal areas of nodular hyperplasia, the hyperplastic cells mixed with lymphocytic infiltration, congestion in the portal vein, periportal fibrosis and edema with the presence of newly formed nonfunctional bile ductulus. Based on the histopathology scores, the severity of renal and hepatic changes was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) in all of the experimental groups compared with the control group. Generally, the chemical composition, microbiological analysis and vital organs were significantly affected by using cultured white soft cheese.

Health benefits and phenolic compounds of Moringa oleifera leaves: A comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) is native to India and is a cash crop widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The health improving properties of MO has been studied from a long time ago for the numerous phenolic compounds, including vitamins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, isothiocyanates, tannins and saponins, which are present in considerable amounts in the plant. A growing spectrum of therapeutic characteristics of MO leaves has been found and used in the remission or treatment of oxidative stress, liver disease, neurological disease, hyperglycemia and cancer. HYPOTHESIS: This review focused on researches applying MO or MO leaf extract as a functional food or cure against various disease and cellular injuries. We believed it would help the discovery of therapeutic application of MO and understanding of MO phytochemistry. METHODS: The data collected in this review were extracted from researches indexed in Web of Science, google scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus to find out health benefits and biological activities of MO leaves polyphenols. The studies reporting mechanistic route of phenolic compounds of MO leaves were also considered in the present study. RESULTS: It has been reported that polyphenols of MO leaf have protective characteristics against neurodegenerative disorders through reducing DNA damage, activation of AchE activity and inhibition of caspase-3 activity. It has been reported that, they protected the kidney from damage caused by melamine through suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokine, metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1), and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1). Similarly, methanol extract of MO leaves has low hypoglycemic attributes and attenuate the risk of diabetes caused by alloxan by enhancing lipid metabolism and stimulating insulin release, glucose uptake, and glycogen synthesis. In addition, MO leaves are becoming the best phytomedicine to reduce hypertension, which are naturally known as angiotensin-1converting enzyme (ACE), acetylcholinesterase, arginase and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. CONCLUSION: MO leaves extract as a health promoting food additives for human and animals due to its great protective effect against many diseases and the widely persistent environmental toxins which disrupted cellular metabolic function. More studies are required to use the phenolic compounds of MO leaves to develop and produce drugs for controlling and treatment of various diseases.

Melatonin Enhances the Mitochondrial Functionality of Brown Adipose Tissue in Obese-Diabetic Rats.

Developing novel drugs/targets remains a major effort toward controlling obesity-related type 2 diabetes (diabesity). Melatonin controls obesity and improves glucose homeostasis in rodents, mainly via the thermogenic effects of increasing the amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and increases in mitochondrial mass, amount of UCP1 protein, and thermogenic capacity. Importantly, mitochondria are widely known as a therapeutic target of melatonin; however, direct evidence of melatonin on the function of mitochondria from BAT and the mechanistic pathways underlying these effects remains lacking. This study investigated the effects of melatonin on mitochondrial functions in BAT of Zücker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which are considered a model of obesity-related type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). At five weeks of age, Zücker lean (ZL) and ZDF rats were subdivided into two groups, consisting of control and treated with oral melatonin for six weeks. Mitochondria were isolated from BAT of animals from both groups, using subcellular fractionation techniques, followed by measurement of several mitochondrial parameters, including respiratory control ratio (RCR), phosphorylation coefficient (ADP/O ratio), ATP production, level of mitochondrial nitrites, superoxide dismutase activity, and alteration in the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Interestingly, melatonin increased RCR in mitochondria from brown fat of both ZL and ZDF rats through the reduction of the proton leak component of respiration (state 4). In addition, melatonin improved the ADP/O ratio in obese rats and augmented ATP production in lean rats. Further, melatonin reduced mitochondrial nitrosative and oxidative status by decreasing nitrite levels and increasing superoxide dismutase activity in both groups, as well as inhibited mPTP in mitochondria isolated from brown fat. Taken together, the present data revealed that chronic oral administration of melatonin improved mitochondrial respiration in brown adipocytes, while decreasing oxidative and nitrosative stress and susceptibility of adipocytes to apoptosis in ZDF rats, suggesting a beneficial use in the treatment of diabesity. Further research regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of melatonin on diabesity is warranted.

Descriptive Histopathological and Ultrastructural Study of Hepatocellular Alterations Induced by Aflatoxin B1 in Rats.

Liver sinusoids are lined by fenestrated endothelial cells surrounded by perisinusoidal cells, Kupffer cells, and pit cells, as well as large granular lymphocytes. The functional ability of the liver cells can be substantially modified by exposure to toxins. In the current work, we assessed the histopathological and ultrastructural effects of a time-course exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the hepatic structures of rats. A total of 30 adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group orally administered 250 µg/kg body weight/day of AFB1 for 5 days/week over 4 weeks, and a group that received the same AFB1 treatment but over 8 weeks. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations of hepatocytes revealed massive vacuolar degeneration and signs of necrosis. Furthermore, the rat liver of the treated group exhibited damage to the sinusoidal endothelium, invasion of the space of Disse with hyperactive Kupffer cells, and some immune cells, as well as Ito cells overloaded with lipids. In addition, damaged telocytes were observed. Taken together, our results indicate that AFB1 induces irreversible adverse effects on the livers of rats.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles prevent multidrug resistant Staphylococcus-induced footpad dermatitis in broilers.

The current experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) on some behavioural, performance, welfare and histopathological changes in broilers exposed to multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-induced footpad dermatitis (FPD). Eighty-four male Indian River (IR) broilers were randomly allotted to six different dietary treatments as follows: C-ve, C+ve, 10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm ZONPs from 7 to 49d of age. At day 28, broilers (n = 70) were sub-cutaneously injected with 0.5 ml of saline containing 5.3 × 107 CFU/ml of S. aureus (MRSA) in each metatarsal foot pad. Control (non-infected) broilers were given 0.5 ml of saline (n = 14). Results clarified that non-infected birds and ZONPs-fed birds had significantly higher standing and feeding activities and lower resting activities in comparison with the infected group. Also, the S. aureus infected group had significantly lower body weight gain (BWG) and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the non-infected group. In addition, the non-infected birds and ZONPs groups had significantly lower object crossing and tonic immobility times (TI) and gait scores (GS) in comparison with the S. aureus group. Only ZONPs 30, 40 ppm and non-infected groups had a significantly higher latency to lie time (LLT) and lower serum cortisol level in comparison with the S. aureus group. Moreover, there were significant changes in the gross lesion score and histopathological lesions between the different groups. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of ZONPs can reduce S. aureus-induced negative effects of FPD in broilers.

Comparative study on dynamic and immunopathology of four intermediate-plus infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccines in commercial broiler chickens.

INTRODUCTION: The selection of the right IBD control strategy is primarily based on the choice of the appropriate vaccine strain. High maternal IBD-specific antibodies (Abs) compete with the efficacy IBD vaccine, which necessitates the application of intermediate-plus vaccine strain. METHODS: A comparative experimental study was designed for evaluation of four different commercially available intermediate-plus IBD vaccines in commercial broilers before complete weaning of IBD-specific maternal Abs. RESULTS: As determined by IBD- specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, three tested vaccine strains (228E, Winterfield H2512, and Winterfield 2512) were able to establish in the bursal tissues as early as six hours (hrs) post-vaccination (PV). Both the 228E and the Winterfield H2512 strains vaccinated groups had the highest viral load and replication rate in the bursal tissues at 24, 36, 48 and 72 hrs PV. Earlier seroconversion, 7-14 days PV, was observed in the case of Winterfield H2512, 228E, and Winterfield 2512 vaccinated birds compared to the Lukert vaccinated birds. The 228E strain was more virulent and induces the highest lesion score with severe degrees of lymphocyte depletion and necrosis which persisted up to 28 days PV. CONCLUSION: Overall, the different intermediate-plus IBD strains possess variable early kinetics in the bursal tissues and eliciting antibody (Ab) responses differently withdifferent degrees of bursal lesions. The assessment of the intrabursal vaccine load together with humoral immunity and bursal damage lesion score are fundamental parameters in the evaluation of the intermediate-plus IBD vaccines.

Characterization of immunological, biochemical and inflammatory response of clinical and subclinical endometritis in ewes in the subtropics.

Pluriparus Ossimi (n = 50) ewes were used to investigate the immune profile of the affected ewes to accurately diagnose clinical and subclinical endometritis and associations with biochemical variables. Ewes were slaughtered and animals were classified into control (no fertility problems), subclinical endometritis (SCE) and clinical endometritis (CE) groups based on pre-slaughter determinations of conception failure. Serum was collected from ewes to estimate concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as well as nitric oxide (NO) concentration. The results from immunological evaluations indicated there were greater (P < 0.001) serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and NO in ewes classified with SCE and CE as compared to ewes of the control group. Furthermore, values for concentrations of TNF-α were positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in ewes of the SCE and CE groups. In ewes classified with CE and SCE there were greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of blood glucose, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine than in ewes of the control group. It is concluded that serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are diagnostic markers for CE and SCE in ewes and serve as a criterion for different inflammatory complications in ewes classified as having CE or SCE.

Salmonella Typhimurium Triggered Unilateral Epididymo-Orchitis and Splenomegaly in a Holstein Bull in Assiut, Egypt: A Case Report.

This report illustrates, for the first time, a case of unilateral orchitis and epididymitis in a Holstein-Friesian bull, associated with Salmonella enterica infection (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium). A one and a half-year-old Holstein-Friesian bull had arrived at the Veterinary Hospital of Assiut University suffering from anorexia accompanied with persistent fever, which did not respond to oxytetracycline and flunixin meglumine injection for 15 days. Gross examination revealed left scrotal enlargement (three times its normal size), heat sensation, and induration of the testis and epididymis, which was painful on external palpation. Microbiological and pathological examinations of the left testicle, epididymis, and spleen samples were performed. S. Typhimurium was recovered from the affected tissues and its critical virulence genes (stn, avrA and sopB) were identified. Pathological examination revealed a unilateral necrotizing intratubular pyogranulomatus orchitis and epididymitis with severe peri-orchitis. In addition, splenomegaly with a firm and large whitish nodular capsular structure associated with different stages of granulomatous reaction around the white and red pulp. To the authors' knowledge, this report is the first isolation of S. Typhimurium from the epididymis and testicles of a Holstein-Friesian bull. These results highlight the importance of including S. Typhimurium among the health disorders associated with stressful situations in bovine with orchitis and or/epididymitis. In Egypt, Salmonella spp. infection as being enzootic with high probability of dissemination should be considered one of genital health problems among cattle farms.