Protective roles of thymoquinone and vildagliptin in manganese-induced nephrotoxicity in adult albino rats.

Despite being important in the body's mechanisms, excessive accumulation of manganese (Mn) can induce severe toxicity in vital organs of the body. Thymoquinone (TQ) is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds which recently gained popularity as dietary supplements and plant-based antioxidants. Vildagliptin (VLD) is a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) inhibitor, approved as anti-hyperglycemic agents with cardioprotective and renoprotective effects. The present study aimed to investigate the nephrotoxicity of Mn and the potential protective effects of thymoquinone and vildagliptin. Sixty-four adult male albino rats were equally divided into 8 groups: group I (control, received no medication), group II (vehicle, received normal saline), group III (TQ, 50 mg/kg/day), group IV (VLD, 10 mg/kg/day), group V (MnCl2, 50 mg/kg/day), group VI (Mn+TQ), group VII (Mn+VLD), and group VIII (Mn+TQ+VLD). Groups VI, VII, and VIII, received the same previously mentioned doses. All drugs were orally gavaged for 12 weeks. Manganese administration resulted in an elevation in the levels of serum and tissues Mn, blood glucose, serum urea, creatinine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and reduction in insulin, kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and interleukin-10. Histopathological structural renal damage was detected associated with strong positive immunoexpression of caspase-3. On the other hand, individual or combined TQ and VLD administration with Mn significantly decreased the serum and tissue levels of Mn, declined the blood glucose, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers, ameliorated the histopathological effects, and down-regulated the immunoexpression of caspase-3. In conclusion, TQ and VLD co-administration elicited protective effects against Mn-induced nephrotoxicity.

Amelioration of pulmonary aflatoxicosis by green tea extract: An in vivo study.

Aflatoxins (AFB1) are mycotoxins known to be associated with human and animal diseases. The lung is a at risk from AFB1exposure either via inhalation or circulation. Green tea consumption is increasing over time due to widespread popularity as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective agents. Therefore, we attempted to study the lung toxicity caused by AFB1 and the possible ameliorating effect of green tea extract. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups; Group I: Untreated control group, Group II (vehicle): Each rat received 1 ml of olive oil, Group III (GTE): Each rat received Camellia sinensis, green tea extract (30 mg/kg/day), Group IV(AFB1): Each rat received (50 µg/kg/day of AFB1). Group V (AFB1+ GTE): Each rat received the same previously mentioned doses of AFB1 in addition to GTE concomitantly. All treatments were orally gavaged for 8 weeks then rats were sacrificed. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines were measured, lung tissues' oxidative stress indices were also measured in addition to the histopathological study which was performed by using hematoxylin & eosin and Masson trichrome stains. Morphometric and statistical analyses were also performed. Oral gavage of AFB1 resulted in significant histopathological changes in the lung tissues, in the form of variable degrees of congestion, hemorrhage, interstitial inflammation with infiltration by chronic inflammatory cells, interstitial fibrosis, bronchitis, vasculitis and fibrous thickening of arterial walls. Inflammation was evident by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a declined level of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Also, oxidative stress was evident by increased levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), and decreased levels of total glutathione (tGSH) and Catalase (CAT). The histopathological changes, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers were significantly decreased during concomitant administration of green tea extract in (AFB1+ GTE) group. Aflatoxin B1 has deleterious effects on the lung tissue that could be minimized by concomitant administration of Green tea extract owing to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and protective properties.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal tibial epiphysis: could it be helpful in forensic age estimation?

There is an increasing demand for age estimations of living persons who are involved in civil and criminal procedures but lack a valid birth certificate indicating their date of birth. Several studies have recommended the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessment of the stage of epiphyseal fusion in age estimation. This study involved retrospective MRI analysis of 335 cases (217 males and 118 females) whose ages ranged from 8 to 28 years (yrs). We assessed the degree of ossification of the proximal tibial epiphysis depending on the classifications of Schmeling and Kellinghaus used for the main stages (I, II, III, IV & V) and substages (IIa, b, c & IIIa, b, c). Significant differences between males and females at stages IIIc, IV and V (p < 0.001) were observed. Additionally, the ossification of the proximal tibial epiphyses occurred earlier in females than in males (2-4 yrs). The mean of ages in stage IV was approximately 18.6 yrs. in females and 22.5 yrs. in males, meaning that stage IV can be used as a valuable forensic marker to determine whether the person in question has reached the age of 18 yrs. We concluded that the application of MRI in the assessment of the ossification status of the proximal tibial epiphysis could be helpful in age estimation for various forensic purposes.

Could curcumin ameliorate titanium dioxide nanoparticles effect on the heart? A histopathological, immunohistochemical, and genotoxic study.

The evaluation of the toxicological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) is increasingly important due to their growing occupational and industrial use. Curcumin is a yellow curry spice with a long history of use in herbal medicine and has numerous protective potentials such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that curcumin could ameliorate TiO2NP-induced cardiotoxic and genotoxic effects in adult male albino rats. For this purpose, 48 adult male albino rats were randomized into five groups; all treatment was by oral gavage once daily for 90 days: group I (8 rats), untreated control; group II (16 rats), subdivided into vehicle control IIa (8 rats) received saline and vehicle control IIb (8 rats) received corn oil; group III (8 rats) orally gavaged with curcumin dissolved in 0.5 ml corn oil at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w./day; group IV treated with TiO2NPs at a dose of 1200 mg/kg b.w./day (1/10 LD50) suspended in 1 ml of 0.9% saline; group V treated with curcumin + TiO2NPs (the same previously mentioned doses). Curcumin was orally gavaged for 7 days before TiO2NPs treatment was initiated, and then they received TiO2NPs along with curcumin at the same doses for 90 days. TiO2NPs administration resulted in several myocardial cytomorphic changes as structurally disorganized, degenerated, and apoptotic cardiomyocytes and the newly implemented 3-nitrotyrosine immune expression rendered strong evidence that these effects derived from the cardio myocellular oxidative burden. Furthermore, comet assay results confirmed TiO2NP-related DNA damage. Remarkably, all these changes are partially mitigated in rats treated with both curcumin and TiO2NPs. Our results suggest that concurrent curcumin treatment has a beneficial role in ameliorating TiO2NP-induced cardiotoxicity and this may be mediated by its antioxidative property.

Alleviative effect of licorice on copper chloride-induced oxidative stress in the brain: biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and genotoxic study.

Although copper is an essential micronutrient involved in a variety of biological processes indispensable for sustaining life, it can be toxic when administered in excess. Licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) has been used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of various disorders. Licorice has the biological capabilities of detoxication, antioxidation, and antiinfection. Here, we test the hypothesis that licorice could ameliorate copper-induced neurotoxic and genotoxic effects in adult male albino rats. For this purpose, 48 adult male albino rats were randomized into five groups: group I (8 rats), untreated control; group II (16 rats), subdivided into; vehicle control IIa (8 rats) which received 1 mL saline twice weekly intraperitoneally for 8 weeks and vehicle control IIb (8 rats) received 0.5 mL distilled water/day orally gavaged for 8 weeks; group III (8 rats), treated with licorice dissolved in 0.5 mL of distilled water, 50 mg/kg b.w./day orally gavaged for 8 weeks; group IV (8 rats), copper chloride (CuCl2) dissolved in 0.5 mL saline, 7 mg/kg b.w. twice weekly intraperitoneal for 8 weeks; and group V (8 rats), CuCl2 + licorice (the same previously mentioned doses) licorice extract were orally given for 10 days before treatment was initiated then followed by CuCl2 intraperitoneally for 8 weeks. We found that CuCl2 exposure significantly increased brain oxidative stress as manifested by elevated malondialdehyde levels, decreased reduced glutathione content, and depressed antioxidant enzyme activities in brain tissues when compared with control groups. This was accompanied by histopathological changes in the form of increased cellularity and swelling of astrocytes that showed dense eosinophilic cytoplasm, pyknotic nuclei, and multiple apoptotic bodies that associated with degenerated neurons with deep eosinophilic cytoplasm. Also, strong Bax immunoreactions in the brain were detected. Furthermore, comet assay results confirmed CuCl2-related oxidative DNA damage. Notably, all these changes were partially ameliorated in rats treated concomitantly with licorice and CuCl2. Our results showed that licorice exerts protective effects against CuCl2-induced neuro- and genotoxicities. These effects may be attributed to the antioxidative property of licorice.

Individual and combined effect of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin on reproductive system of adult male albino rats.

Commercial mixtures of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin pesticides are widely used to enhance the toxic effects of cypermethrin on target insects. So, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the individual and combined toxic effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CYP) on reproductive system of adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were randomized into main four groups: group I (control group) included 16 rats, subdivided into negative and positive control; group II (eight rats) received chlorpyrifos 6.75 mg/kg b.w./orally∕daily); group III (eight rats) (received cypermethrin 12.5 mg/kg b.w./orally∕daily); and group IV (eight rats) (received chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin at the same previously mentioned doses). All treatments were given by oral gavage for 12 weeks. We found that single CPF and CYP exposures significantly have adverse effects on reproductive function of adult male albino rats manifested by reduced testicular weight, decreased sperm count, motility and viability, significantly increased percent of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, and significant increments in sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) with respect to control group. Furthermore, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels were decreased significantly compared to control group. This was accompanied with histopathological changes in the testis of rats such as necrosis, degeneration, decreasing number of spermatogenic cells in some seminiferous tubules, edema, congested blood vessels, and exudate in interstitial tissue of the testis. Notably, all these changes were exaggerated in rats treated concomitantly with chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin rendering the mixture more toxic than the additive effects of each compound and causing greater damage on the reproductive system of male albino rats than the individual pesticides.