Serum trace elements status of rabbits supplemented with Nigella sativa, vitamins C and E, and selenium against damage by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

In this study, we investigated the effects of Nigella sativa, vitamins C and E, and selenium on the levels of trace elements in the serum of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-injected rabbits. The rabbits were separated into one control and three experimental groups, each consisting of eight rabbits. MNNG was administered to all rabbits at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Group A received a suspension of N. sativa, group B received a combination of vitamins C and E and selenium, and group C received MNNG without any additional treatment. Group D did not receive any treatment and acted as control. The concentrations of serum zinc, copper, and iron were determined for groups A, B, C, and D. The zinc levels were 155.3+/-25.8, 304.7+/-14.22, 117.2+/-27.9, and 87.0+/-8 ng/dL for groups A-D, respectively; copper was measured at 234.8+/-31.9, 214.3+/-14.2, 196.5+/-19.3, and 359.2+/-19.9 ng/dL and iron levels were 276.3+/-10.71, 260.8+/-7.15, 211.2+/-13.47, and 223.4+/-9.5 ng/dL, in the stated group order. There were statistically significant differences between groups (p<0.05). The results obtained in this work may be of use for monitoring and preventing the nocive effects of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and similar carcinogens.

Blood type A and B frequencies in Turkish Van and Angora cats in Turkey.

Blood typing of domestic cats has been performed in domestic and purebred cats in various parts of the world and is important in clinical practice in order to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) and acute haemolytic transfusion reactions. Prevalence of blood types vary greatly between breeds of cats. Turkish Van and Angora cats are different breeds that originated in geographically distinct regions of Turkey. The present survey determined the frequency of blood types in these Turkish pedigreed cats in Turkey. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic-acid anti-coagulated blood of a total of 113 Turkish Van and Angora cats were examined for blood typing using a slide and tube agglutination assay. Of the 85 Van cats surveyed, 40% had type A, and 60% had type B blood. Of the 28 Turkish Angora cats, 53.6% had type A, and 46.4% had type B blood. No type AB cats were found between both breeds. There was no significant association between blood types and gender of both Angora and Van cats or eye colours of Van cats (P > 0.05). Although these are limited surveys, the overall prevalence of type B cats in these two breeds was very high compared with the results of previous studies worldwide. It appears likely that blood type incompatibilities responsible for feline NI and transfusion reactions are occurring in these breeds. The risk of transfusion incompatibility in Turkish Angora and Van cats was 46.4 and 60%, respectively. It is therefore strongly recommended to breeders and clinicians that blood typing be performed prior to breeding and transfusing cats.