Activity of superoxide dysmutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in rats exposed to chlorpyrifos and erofloxacin.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of administration of chlorpyrifos and/or enrofloxacin on the activity of chosen antioxidative enzymes i.e.: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in erythrocytes of rats. Chlorpyrifos was administered by stomach tube during 28 days at a dose of 3 mg/kg bw (0.02 LD50), and enrofloxacin was administered by stomach tube at a dose of 5 mg/kg bw during 3 subsequent days. It was stated that administration of enrofloxacin at applied dose did not cause any major changes in the activity of investigated antioxidative enzymes. The four-week exposure of rats to chlorpyrifos caused noticeable decrease in SOD and CAT activity in erythrocytes of rats at the beginning of the experiment (up to 24th hour) in comparison with the control group. The activity of GPx during all periods of the experiment was increased. In the group of animals in which both chlorpyrifos and enrofloxacin were applied, the profile of changes in activity of examined enzymes was similar to that one, which was observed after administration of chlorpyrifos exclusively, what may indicate lack of co-action between compounds used in the experiment.

The influence of strain, sex and age on selected biochemical parameters in blood serum of Buffalo and Wistar rats.

The objective of the study was to determine interval values of biochemical parameters in the most commonly applied experimental model among different species, i.e. rats. Blood analysis of experimental animals is done in different research fields. They are important especially in experiments in pharmacology, pathophysiology, experimental surgery, toxicology and for monitoring experimental disorders in laboratory animals. In this paper, basic biochemical markers in the blood serum of Buffalo and Wistar rats are also compared in relation to the animals' age and sex. The values were obtained using the latest available measurement methods and the above-listed checkpoints were considered. The biochemical markers show variability between the particular groups of animals related to their age, sex, and strain. The obtained data may be used to create a model of interval values of biochemical parameters for the Buffalo and Wistar rat strains. This study is necessary to enhance our understanding on basic parameters in these animals which are often used in different medical experiments.

Influence of Bi 58 Nowy (38% dimethoate) on pyrantel embonate concentration in the liver of rats.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of pyrantel residues in the liver of rats in different time points after oral administration of pyrantel embonate as well as combined administration of the Bi 58 Nowy preparation (38% of dimethoate) and pyrantel embonate. The experiment was conducted in two stages involving different doses of compounds and modes of exposure. At the first stage, the animals were administered pyrantel embonate with a stomach tube at a dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. twice in a two-week interval, i.e. on day 14 and 28, and the Bi 58 Nowy preparation with drinking water at a dose of 15.48 mg/kg b.w. for 28 days. At the second stage, the rats received pyrantel embonate at a dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. with a stomach tube for 3 consecutive days, whereas the Bi 58 Nowy preparation was administered at a dose of 38.7 mg/kg b.w. also with a stomach tube for 5 consecutive days. In the rats doubly administered with pyrantel embonate, its residues were present until day 14, whereas when the drug was administered for 3 consecutive days they were present until day 7 of the experiment. The maximum concentration of pyrantel embonate was found in the liver after the 3rd hour, whereas a considerable decrease occurred between the 3rd and the 12th hour. The combined administration of pyrantel embonate and the Bi 58 Nowy preparation caused a significant decrease in the concentration of pyrantel residues in the liver 3 and 6 hours after exposure, as compared to the rats receiving the drug alone.

The effect of dimethoate and pyrantel on vitamin C concentration in the rat liver.

The aim of this study was to determine the content of vitamin C in the liver of rats exposed to dimethoate or pyrantel embonate as well as co-intoxication with both agents. Investigations were carried out in two stages. At each stage, the rats were divided into three experimental groups (I-III) and a control (C) group. In the first stage, rats from group I were administered pyrantel embonate at a two-week interval at a dose of 1/2 LD50, while the animals from group II received dimethoate for 28 days at a dose of 1/25 LD50, and those from group III - both mentioned compounds in an identical manner as in groups I and II. In the second stage, the rats from group I received pyrantel embonate at a dose of 1/5 LD50 for 3 consecutive days, while the animals from group II received dimethoate at a dose of 1/10 LD50 for 5 consecutive days, and those from III received both compounds, but pyrantel was administered on day 3, 4 and 5 of dimethoate administration. The concentration of vitamin C after pyrantel embonate and dimethoate administration was influenced not only by doses of the compounds used but also by the manner of their application (single or co-administration). Dimethoate delivered at a dose of 1/25 LD50 evoked an increase in vitamin C concentration that was observed to continue up to the 14th day after the exposure, whereas when applied at a dose of 1/10 LD50 it increased the vitamin C level only at the 3rd hour. A considerable decrease in the vitamin C level was reported after pyrantel treatment at a dose of 1/5 LD50. In rats from groups where the compounds were co-administered, increased level of vitamin C was observed at both stages of the experiment only in the first period after intoxication, i.e. up to the 6th hour.

Residues of dimethoate in the liver and AchE activity in blood of rats after exposure to dimethoate, and dimethoate and pyrantel embonate.

The study was aimed at determining the dimethoate residues in the liver and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in blood of rats exposed to dimethoate (individual intoxication), and dimethoate and pyrantel embonate (simultaneous intoxication). The experiment was carried out in two stages where various doses of preparations and exposure manners were used. In the first stage of the experiment, dimethoate (1/25 LD50) was administered to animals per os for 28 days, and pyrantel embonate (1/2 LD550) twice, i.e. on the day 14th and 28th. In the second stage, dimethoate was administered for 5 days (1/10 LD50), and pyrantel embonate (1/5 LD50) on day 3, 4 and 5 from the beginning of dimethoate intoxication. The short presence of the dimethoate residues in the liver of the animals examined was found until the 2nd day after 28-day intoxication (1/25 LD50) and until 14th day after 5-day intoxication (1/10 LD50), however, a distinct decrease in this insecticide residues in the liver of (analysed groups of) rats occurred between the 3rd hour and the 2nd day after exposure. Dimethoate in both applied doses significantly reduced AChE activity in blood. After application of the higher dose, the inhibition of AChE was more pronounced, and the return of its activity to physiological values lasted considerably longer. Co-administration of pyrantel embonate and dimethoate, slightly influenced changes of the parameters analysed, which have been dependent not only on a dose and manner of pyrantel application but also on time which lapsed from exposure.

Concentrations of heavy metals in the tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from the region of Warmia and Mazury, Poland.

Cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were quantified using a validated ICP/MS method in the tissues and organs of 82 specimens of red deer of different sexes and ages, which had been hunted at the Great Lakes Land region in the north-eastern of Poland in 2000-01. Copper and zinc occurred in liver, kidney and muscle tissue of red deer at concentrations of 6.4-29, 3.3-7.2 and 1.9-6.4, and of 19-43, 17-41 and 19-64 mg kg(-1), respectively, which are considered typical for the species, age and gender compared with values noted for some other wild and domestic ruminant species elsewhere. For cadmium and lead, the concentrations decreased in the order kidney > liver > muscle tissue, with overall means of 2.2, 0.19, and 0.10, 0.31, and 0.26, 0.22 mg kg(-1) wet weight, respectively. The cadmium content of the kidney of a proportion of red deer sampled exceeded the legal tolerance limits set in Poland. The means (but not individual animal data) obtained for cadmium in kidney and liver correlated (0.99) with the age of red deer. Also, the lead content of the muscle meat of red deer for many carcasses exceeded the legal limit, which was probably due to contamination from the fine dust particle remains from the lead bullets used.

Evaluation of the contamination degree of roe-deer with cadmium and polychlorinated biphenyls in Warmia and Mazury district.

The results of investigations concerning degree the contamination degree with cadmium and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) of roe-deer organs hunt in seven selected areas of Warmia and Mazury voivodship are presented. The highest mean cadmium content in the organs investigated was found in the samples from Glebock area (liver - 0.0576 mg/kg, kidney - 3.351 mg/kg) and the lowest one was observed in the samples from Pisz area (liver - 0.181 mg/kg, kidneys - 1.653 mg/kg). Mean level of polychlorinated biphenyls residues in the roe-deer fat from Warmia and Mazury district was 0.004 mg/kg. The highest PCB's mean concentration was found in the roe-deer fat samples from Milomlyn area (0.008 mg/kg), and the lowest one in those from Glebock area (0.002 mg/kg). Presented levels of investigated xenobiotics do not make at present (except cadmium in kidney) any toxicological threats for venison consumers in Warmia and Mazury district.

Changes of AChE activity in the nerves of pig ovaries in different periods of pregnancy.

The paper presents a description of morphologic features of AChE-positive nerves, and changes taking place in AChE activity in pig ovaries during different stages of pregnancy. 36 sows, pregnant for the first time, were used in the studies. The animals were divided into 5 groups: Group I embraced sows on 14th d of pregnancy (n = 7), group II: on 20th d (n = 6), group III: on 30th d (n = 7), group IV: on 60th d (n = 8), and group V on 90th d of pregnancy (n = 8). The animals were slaughtered and bled. Left-side ovaries were taken for histochemical studies, and right-side ones for biochemical analyses. AChE-positive nerves in the ovaries were discovered taking advantage of the method by KARNOVSKY and ROOTS. AChE activity was determined according to RUCKENBUSH and RUCKENBUSH after homogenization of whole ovaries. It was found that: Morphological picture of the AChE-positive nerves differed in particular stages of pregnancy, this being reflected--among others--in the presence of characteristic, "bead-like" nerve fibres in later period of pregnancy (on 30th, 60th, and 90th d); The highest activity of AChE was recorded on 20th and 30th d of pregnancy, the lowest on 13th d.

Changes of AChE activity in ovarian nerves of pigs in different periods of the oestrous cycle: relationship to ovarian steroids.

The morphological features of cholinergic nerves in the ovary, a determination of the level of acetylcholinesterase activity in different periods of the oestrous cycle and an attempt to determine if a relationship existe between AChE activity and the hormonal state of animal are described in this paper. Mature pigs were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups and killed on 1st to 2nd d of oestrous cycle (group I; n = 6), on 13th to 14th d (group II; n = 7), and 16th to 18th d of the oestrous cycle (group III; n = 6). First signs of oestrus were designated the zeroth d. Histochemical evaluation of the most abundant cholinergic innervation was shown in ovaries of animals in group III, weaker cholinergic representation was found in animals of group I, and weakest in group II. Whereas the lowest activity of AChE determined by biochemical test was observed in the ovaries of group I, AChE activity in the ovaries on 13 to 14 and 16 to 18 d of oestrous cycle was 8- to 10-fold higher, respectively, in relation to the animals of group I. These results suggest that there exists a relationship between AChE activity in the ovary and ovarian steroid hormones and that this may be an important factor regulating the ovarian blood flow in the course of oestrous cycle in pigs.

[Determination of dermafos (fenchlorphos) residues in the tissues of hens and rabbits after single oral dose of pure and technical preparations]. / Badania nad oznaczeniem pozostalosci dermafosu (fenchlorfosu) w tkankach kur i królików po jednorazowym podaniu per os preparatu czystego i technicznego.

The level of dermaphos residues in the blood, liver and the fat tissue was examined after a single oral application of the pure and technical preparation of various doses in hens and rabbits. An appropriately adapted method of extraction and purification and thin-layer chromatography for its quantitative determination were used. It was shown that the preparation, as well as some of its metabolites and contaminants had a tendency of prolonged accumulation in the examined tissue mainly in fat. A month after the administration of higher doses of pure dermaphos (i.e. 0,250 g/kg of body weight, calculated as active component) the blood of rabbits still contained 0,12 mg/kg, the liver--0,10 mg/kg, and the kidney fat--3,14 mg/kg of the preparation. In hens a dose of 2,500 g/kg of body weight gave the following results: 0,60 mg/kg in the blood, 0,67 mg/kg in the liver and 8,34 mg/kg in the omental fat. This long-lasting accumulation of dermaphos in the tissues is most probably connected with the presence of the trichlorphenyl ring in the molecule. It was also noticed that the contaminants present in the technical preparation influenced to some extent the accumulation rate of dermaphos in certain tissues and this was observed especially after administration of higher doses. On the other hand, the dynamics of disappearance and the accumulation degree of dermaphos in the hen and rabbit tissues did not depend only on the type of the tissue, but also on the animal species and the level of the administered dose.