Nephrotoxicity in goats caused by dosing with a water extract from the stems of Narthecium ossifragum plants.

Seven goats were given a single dose of an aqueous extract derived from 30 g (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. Their serum creatinine and urea concentrations increased to day 5 but then fell to normal by day 10. Serum magnesium increased to day 4 and decreased to normal by day 9. Their serum calcium concentration was lower than normal on days 4, 5 and 6. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of goats killed or found dead 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 or 16 days after dosing revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. Regeneration of the tubular epithelium and signs of interstitial fibroplast proliferation and fibrosis could be seen in animals killed on days 8, 11, 16 and 42. No signs of liver damage were observed in 3 goats dosed with the insoluble plant material from 40 g (wet weight) Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. The total dose was divided into three doses, which were given intraruminally within 7 h. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase remained within the normal range in all 10 goats after dosing.

Further studies on the presence, qualities and effects of the toxic principles from Narthecium ossifragum plants.

One calf was dosed during one day with an aqueous extract from 3.0 kg (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum and another was dosed on the same day with the insoluble plant residue. The concentrations of serum creatinine and magnesium increased only in the calf dosed with the aqueous extract, while the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase increased only in the serum of the calf dosed with the plant residue, so differentiating the nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic principles as water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds, respectively. One calf was dosed with 30 g (wet weight) N. ossifragum flower stems per kg live weight during one day and another was dosed with 30 g (wet weight) N. ossifragum leaves per kg live weight on the same day. The serum creatinine and urea concentrations and also the activities of glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase in the serum increased in the calf dosed with the flower stems, whereas there was only a slight temporary increase in the creatinine concentration in serum from the calf dosed with the leaves. However, histopathological examination of the kidneys of the calf dosed with the flower stems revealed severe tubular necrosis and degeneration. It therefore appears that both the toxic principles are present in the flower stems of N. ossifragum rather than in its leaves. The serum creatinine concentration was significantly increased in a non-ruminating calf dosed with an aqueous extract from 32 g (wet weight) N. ossifragum per kg liveweight during one day, showing the intrinsic nephrotoxicity of the plant.

Fluoride exposure in cervids inhabiting areas adjacent to aluminum smelters in Norway. I. Residue levels.

Mandibular fluorine concentrations were determined in 1,425 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 240 moose (Alces alces), and 424 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) collected in Norway from 1990 to 1993 in seven municipalities in which aluminum smelters are located, in eight neighboring municipalities, and in eight reference areas representing background levels. Background fluorine concentration was significantly correlated with age in all three species. Roe deer had the highest mean background fluorine level in each age group, followed by red deer. Due to differences in fluoride exposure, large variations in bone fluorine residues were evident between locations. In Ardal, the district most severely exposed to fluoride contamination, nine of ten cervids had fluorine concentrations exceeding background levels. The proportions of red deer with fluorine residues exceeding background levels also were high in neighboring municipalities to Ardal. We propose that roe deer are a better biomonitor of local fluoride exposure than red deer and moose, due to their more sedentary behavior.

Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in calves apparently caused by experimental feeding with Narthecium ossifragum.

Seven calves were fed a mixture of bog plants containing 15 g (wet matter) Narthecium ossifragum per kg live weight for two consecutive days. Their serum creatinine, urea and magnesium concentrations increased, whereas the serum calcium concentration decreased. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of the 5 calves that were killed revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. There were signs of liver dysfunction in all the calves including increased aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities. All the calves refused to ingest N. ossifragum after 2 days feeding, and their appetite for hay and concentrate was also reduced. It can be concluded that N. ossifragum is nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic to calves.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in chicken eggs: a survey.

One hundred and five chicken egg samples were taken from seven geographical locations in Kenya and analyzed for organochlorine pesticide residues using gas-liquid chromatography. Nine organochlorine compounds were detected: alpha- and gamma-HCH/BHC (hexachlorocyclohexane/benzene hexachloride), aldrin, dieldrin, p,p'-DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene], p,p'-DDD (TDE) [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane] (tetrachlorodiphenylethane), o,p'-DDD [2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane], o,p'-DDT [2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane], and p,p'-DDT. Eighteen of the samples contained DDT levels exceeding the practical residue limit (0.5 ppm). The mean DDT residue content was 0.68 ppm, a result influenced greatly by the high contamination in the 18 samples. Both individual and mean residue levels for other organochlorine pesticides detected were well within the respective practical residue limits.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in chicken fat: a survey.

One hundred and five chicken fat samples were collected between April, 1980 and February, 1982 from seven geographical locations in Kenya (15 samples/area). The samples were subjected to standard extraction and clean up procedures to recover organochlorine pesticides and were subsequently analysed using gas-liquid-chromatography. alpha-, beta-, and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane/benzene hexachloride (HCH/BHC; Lindane), aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, [1,1-dichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene] (p,p'-DDE), [2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dichloroethane] (o,p'-DDD/TDE), p,p'-DDD, [2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1, 1-trichloroethane] (o,p'-DDT), and p,p'-DDT were detected in the samples in varying concentrations. A few samples had lindane, dieldrin, and total DDT residue levels above the respective practical residue limit (PRL) values, but for all pesticides, the mean residue values were below the PRL.

[Mercury and selenium in wild mink (Mustela vision) from Norway]. / Kvikksølv og selen i villmink (Mustela vision) fra Norge.

Levels of mercury, methylmercuri and selenium were determined in liver samples from wild mink (Mustela vision) caught in the Norwegian countries of Rogaland (38 samples), Sogn og Fjordane (15 samples) and Hedmark (18 samples). The average mercury levels from these counties were 2.6, 3.1 and 2.1 micrograms Hg/g wet weight, respectively. No significant differences in mercury levels were found. The methyl mercury levels (MeHg) were determined in 30 samples. A very strong positive correlation between total mercury (Hg) and methyl mercury (r = 0.91, P less than 0.001) was found. The average methyl mercury level was 35 per cent of total mercury. This indicates that wild mink has the ability to demethylate mercury. The selenium levels were determined in 35 samples. A strong positive correlation between the levels of total mercury and selenium (r = 0.87, P less than 0.001) was found. There was no correlation between age or nutritional condition and mercury level. In the present study mink was examined to see of it could be recommended as an indicator species for monitoring the local environment for mercury contamination. No definite answer to this question could be found. The study did reveal, however, that in all the counties studied there are individuals that are considerably contaminated with mercury.

Effects of quinuronium sulfate pre-exposure on hepatic excretion of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) as measured by isolated perfused rat liver.

Effects of quinuronium sulphate pre-exposure on hepatic excretion of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) as measured by isolated perfused rat liver was investigated. Seventeen rats were used in the study. Rats were divided into controls (Group 1, n = 5), low quinuronium treated animals (Group 2, n = 6), and high quinuronium treated animals (Group 3, n = 6) receiving 0, 1.5 or 2.3 mg quinuronium sulphate/kg intraperitoneally, respectively. Each animal was dosed 30 min. before sacrifice. After 30 min. of equilibrium perfusion, BSP was introduced and the experiment continued for 2 hours. Perfusate and bile were collected at designated time intervals and the volume of bile was noted. BSP in perfusate and bile was assayed. Half-life in minutes (t 1/2 +/- S.E.) of BSP disappearance from perfusate in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 12.5 +/- 1.8, 13.7 +/- 1.0 and 16.8 +/- 3.3, respectively. Group 2 and 3 rats had a significant decrease of BSP excretion in bile (P less than 0.01) compared to group 1 rats. Bile volumes decreased in both quinuronium pre-exposed groups of rats compared to control rats. These observations indicate that quinuronium affects liver function.

Trace elements in grass, cattle liver and sheep liver from districts surrounding Karatina, Kenya. II. Copper, molybdenum, zinc and sulphur.

Thirty-one samples of pasture grass from districts surrounding Karatina, Kenya were analysed for contents of copper, molybdenum, zinc and sulphur. The following mean values and standard deviations were found: Copper: 8.2 +/- 5.0 mg/kg DM; molybdenum: 1.4 +/- 2.6 mg/kg DM; zinc: 33 +/- 10 mg/kg DM and sulphur: 0.17 +/- 0.06% DM. Mean value of the ratio between copper and molybdenum was 13 +/- 11. Samples of cattle liver (n = 96) and sheep liver (n = 93) were analysed for copper and zinc with the following results: Cattle liver: 21 +/- 16 mg Cu/kg WW and 37 +/- 11 mg Zn/kg WW. Sheep liver: 59 +/- 37 mg Cu/kg WW and 30 +/- 6.4 mg Zn/kg WW. It is concluded that subclinical copper deficiency may occur in cattle in the districts included in the investigation. The copper status of sheep seems to be adequate. The levels of zinc may indicate a marginal intake of this element in sheep.

Trace elements in grass, cattle liver and sheep liver from districts surrounding Karatina, Kenya. I. Selenium.

Samples of grass, cattle and sheep livers from the districts surrounding Karatina, Kenya, were analysed for their contents of selenium. The following mean values were found: Grass (n = 31): 0.19 +/- 0.17 mg Se/kg on dry matter basis, cattle liver (n = 96): 0.31 +/- 0.10 mg Se/ kg on wet weight, and sheep liver (n = 93): 0.55 +/- 0.25 mg Se/kg on wet weight. It is concluded that selenium deficiency is unlikely to occur in the districts included in this investigation.

Intestinal metabolism of DNOC and DNBP in the rat.

The metabolism of the dinitrophenols DNOC and DNBP and their respective monoamino derivatives, 6-ANOC and 6-ANBP, was studied in rat caecal incubates. All of the compounds were reduced to their corresponding diamino metabolites. The results are discussed in relation to the comparative toxicology of the dinitrophenols with special regard to a possible significance of the intestinal metabolites.