Effect of Gestational and Lactational Exposure to DEHP, DINP, and DEP on Intestinal Morphology, Disaccharidases, and Alkaline Phosphatase in Rats during Postnatal Development.

INTRODUCTION: The diesters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (phthalic acid), commonly known as phthalates, are used primarily as plasticizers of polyvinyl chloride and as additives in consumer and personal care products. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the impact of in utero and postnatal exposure to diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) on gut maturation in a Wistar rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant females were gavaged from day 8 of gestation through postnatal day (pd) 30 with 0 (vehicle control), DEHP (380 mg/kg/d), DINP (380 mg/kg/d), or DEP (800 mg/kg/d) dissolved in corn oil. Intestinal samples have been collected at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 30 pd for histological and biochemical analysis. The mitotic index has been evaluated based on the expression of Ki-67 antigen. RESULTS: All tested phthalate treatments have significantly decreased the body as well as the organ's weight (p < 0.001). DINP exposure resulted in severe villous atrophy, while DEHP treated group was characterized by lymphoepithelial lesions. In addition, a significant decrease of the Ki-67 proliferation index was observed in the youngest rats (0 and 7 days) upon the various treatments (p < 0.0001): , whereas at day 30, an increased numbers of Ki-67 positive cells were observed in DEHP and DEP but bot DINP group. Lactase and sucrase activities were inhibited by DEP in contrast to DINP and DEHP which increased enzymes activity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that exposure to phthalates during gestational and lactational phases negatively impacts the development of the small intestine.

Neuroprotective effect of wormwood against lead exposure.

BACKGROUND: Lead poisoning is a potential factor in brain damage, neurochemical dysfunction and severe behavioral problems. Considering this effect, our study was carried out to investigate the effects of wormwood to restore enzymes activities, lipid peroxidation and behavioral changes induced by lead. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 6 in each group): three groups exposed to 750 ppm of lead acetate in the drinking water for 11 weeks and two groups as control. Aqueous wormwood extract (200 mg/kg body weight) was administrated to intoxicated (Pb(-)+A.AB) and control groups (A.AB) for four supplemental weeks. Activities of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), monoamine oxidase (MAO) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level were determined in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, cortex and striatum of male rats and the grooming and locomotors activity were defined in all groups. RESULTS: The intoxicated group (Pb) has a significantly increased TBARS value compared with the control in all regions (P < 0.05) and, after treatment with the wormwood extract, a significant reduction was noted. The enzyme activity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the Pb group compared with the control, essentially for the hippocampus (AchE: -57%, MAO: -41%) and the striatum (AchE: -43%, MAO: -51%). After wormwood extract administration, the AchE and MAO activity were significantly increased in all brain regions compared with the Pb group (P < 0.05). The behavioral test (locomotors and grooming test) indicates a significant hyperactivity in the Pb group compared with the control group. After treatment with wormwood extract, the Pb(-)+A.Ab indicates a lower activity compared with Pb. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that wormwood extract may play a very useful role in reduction of the neurotoxicological damage induced by lead.

Prophylactic effects of Wormwood on lipid peroxidation in an animal model of lead intoxication.

The ability of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) extract (A.Ab) to restore membrane-bound enzymes like Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(++)-ATPase, Mg(++)-ATPase, and oxidative damage induced by lead were investigated. Rats were exposed to lead acetate (750 ppm) for 11-weeks and treated during 4-weeks with A.Ab. Lipid levels, ATPase activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and proteins carbonyl were estimated. In liver and kidney, lead acetate inhibited membrane-bound enzymes and increased (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids, TBARS, and carbonyl proteins. After 4 weeks, the intoxicated group who received A.Ab showed a significant reduction in TBARS and carbonyl levels in liver and kidney compared to group exposed to lead. A.Ab restored the levels of membrane-bound enzymes and lipid levels to near normal. These results indicate that aqueous Wormwood extract had a significant antioxidant activity and protect liver and kidney from the lead-induced toxicity.