ABSTRACT
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most widely used herbicides due to its relatively moderate toxicity and to its biodegradability in the soil. In toxic concentrations, 2,4-D displays strong neurotoxicity, partly due to generation of free radicals. Since melatonin has remarkable antioxidant properties, the objective of this study was to assess to what extent it was effective in preventing the 2,4-D effect on redox balance of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGC) in vitro. Cellular viability, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), Mn-SOD, selenium-glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) and catalase (CAT) were measured in CGC exposed to 2,4-D and/or melatonin for 48 h. In CGC cultures exposed to 2,4-D, cell viability, GSH levels and CAT activity decreased significantly whereas ROS generation and Se-GPx activities were augmented. Except for Se-GPx activity, all these changes were counteracted by the concomitant addition of 0.1 or 0.5 mM melatonin. In addition, incubation of CGC with melatonin alone resulted in augmentation of cell viability, GSH levels and Se-GPx activity. RNS generation and SOD activity remained unaffected by either treatment. Since melatonin was able to counteract most of redox changes produced by 2,4-D in CGC in culture, the experimental evidence reported further support the efficacy of melatonin to act as a neuroprotector.
Subject(s)
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid/toxicity , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Herbicides/toxicity , Melatonin/pharmacology , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Animals , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Cerebellum/cytology , Glutathione/metabolism , Neurons/cytology , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Rats , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismSubject(s)
Abortion, Induced , Analgesics , Anesthesia, General , Anesthesia, Local , Anesthesia, Obstetrical , Baclofen/pharmacology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Preanesthetic Medication , PregnancySubject(s)
Endometritis/diagnosis , Endometrium/cytology , Uterine Neoplasms/diagnosis , Aged , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Vaginal Smears/methodsABSTRACT
A case of ectopic gall-bladder located retrohepatically in the coronary ligament is reported. Stress is laid on the interest and extreme rarity of this event which escaped observation at a first explorative laparotomy. Further confirmation is thus provided, within bile way malformations, of the need for attentive intraoperative exploration, including cholangiography.
