火箭推进剂单推-Ⅲ对大鼠肺的毒性效应

为探讨新型火箭推进剂单推-Ⅲ(主成分为肼)对大鼠肺的毒性效应及其作用机制,将24只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为4组:生理盐水对照组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组,采用气管滴注法染毒,染毒剂量分别为每次0、5.50、13.75、27.50mg·kg-(1以每kg大鼠滴注的肼(mg)计算),每天1次,连续染毒14d,腹主动脉放血处死,检测肺组织病理学改变、氧化损伤、炎性因子和肺组织细胞DNA损伤.结果表明,1)单推-Ⅲ染毒可导致大鼠肺组织炎症:低剂量组表现为轻度肺间质性炎症,中、高剂量组表现为中度肺间质性炎症;2)单推-Ⅲ染毒可导致大鼠肺组织氧化损伤:随着染毒剂量的增加,大鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)逐渐升高,而总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)逐渐降低,高剂量组与对照组差异显著(p<0.05);3)单推-Ⅲ可导致大鼠肺组织炎性免疫损伤:随着染毒剂量的增加,肺组织匀浆液中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)均逐渐升高,高剂量组与对照组差异显著(p<0.05);4)单推-Ⅲ可导致大鼠肺组织细胞DNA损伤:随着染毒剂量的增加,尾部DNA含量、尾长、尾矩、Olive尾矩均逐渐升高,其中高剂量组尾长、Olive尾矩与对照组差异显著(p<0.05).综合以上实验结果可以看出火箭推进剂单推-Ⅲ对大鼠肺组织可产生一定的毒性效应.     

非暴露式气管滴注3种典型纳米材料对大鼠肝、肾的毒性效应

为探讨纳米二氧化硅(Nano-SiO2)、纳米四氧化三铁(Nano-Fe3O4)和单壁碳纳米管(SWCNTs)对大鼠肝、肾的毒性效应,将49只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为7组,包括生理盐水对照组,以及3种纳米材料的低剂量组(2mg·mL-1)和高剂量组(10mg·mL-1),采用非暴露式气管滴注法染毒,每2d染毒1次,每次每只0.2mL,共染毒5周,眼眶取血后处死大鼠,称肝、肾重量计算脏器系数,测定大鼠血清中反映肝、肾功能的生化指标,并对肝、肾进行病理学观察.结果表明,1)3种纳米材料均可导致大鼠体重明显降低,但对肝、肾脏器系数无明显影响;2)病理学观察发现,3种纳米材料均可导致大鼠肝细胞轻度脂肪变性,肾脏则无明显改变;3)3种纳米材料均可导致大鼠肝功能异常,部分肝功能指标如谷草转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)等出现显著降低;4)3种纳米材料均可导致大鼠肾功能异常,部分肾功能指标如尿酸(UA)、肌酐(CREA)、尿素氮(BUN)等出现显著升高或降低.以上结果提示,经呼吸道染毒的Nano-SiO2、Nano-Fe3O4和SWCNTs均可对大鼠肝、肾产生一定的毒性效应.     

赤霉酸暴露对SD大鼠青春期发育的影响

赤霉酸是目前国内外使用极其广泛的一种植物生长调节剂,但是针对其发育毒性的数据依然较少。本文探讨了赤霉酸暴露对SD大鼠青春期发育的影响。参考国内外环境内分泌干扰物危害的评价方法,将144只初断乳SD大鼠按体重随机分为4组,分别为对照组和1、10、100 mg·kg-1bw剂量组,采用经口灌胃方式对雄鼠连续染毒28 d,雌鼠连续染毒21 d。暴露结束后检测大鼠的体重、食物利用率、雄鼠包皮分离时间/雌鼠阴道开口时间、血清生化指标、脏器系数及组织病理学的变化。研究结果表明,与对照组相比,仅10和100 mg·kg-1bw剂量组雄鼠的肌酐水平显著升高(P<0.01),100 mg·kg-1bw剂量组雌鼠谷丙转氨酶水平有显著升高(P<0.01)。而与对照组相比,所有剂量组均未观察到大鼠的体重、食物利用率、雄鼠包皮分离时间/雌鼠阴道开口时间、脏器系数等指标有显著性差异的改变(P>0.05),组织病理学结果亦显示大鼠重要器官无损害性改变。因此,在本试验给予的剂量范围内赤霉酸染毒不会对SD大鼠青春期发育产生显著影响。     

碲化镉量子点Cd~(2+)释放对小鼠肝、肾组织毒作用的研究

探讨碲化镉量子点(cadmium telluride quantum dots,Cd Te QDs)Cd2+释放与其体内毒性之间的关系。将24只雄性ICR小鼠(24.7~26.8g)随机分为4组,每组6只,分别为0 nmol组(对照组)、5 nmol染毒组、50 nmol染毒组和500 nmol染毒组(以Cd2+的摩尔浓度计算)。采用尾静脉注射方式进行染毒,染毒组注射0.15 ml不同浓度的Cd Te QDs溶液,对照组注射同等体积的生理盐水。染毒24h后小鼠脱臼处死,计算脏器系数,进行血常规和血清生化指标分析以及肝、肾组织的病理组织学检查。选取金属硫蛋白(metallothionein,MT)作为生物体内游离Cd2+水平的生物标志物,通过酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)和免疫组织化学技术检测小鼠肝、肾组织中的MT水平。结果表明,各染毒组小鼠肝、肾脏器系数与对照组相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),尿素氮水平与对照组相比显著降低(P0.01)。随着染毒剂量增加,小鼠肝、肾组织病理改变逐渐加重,肝细胞可见不同程度的水性样变和肿胀;肾小管管腔水肿、肾上皮细胞水样变性,以及远曲小管水肿。染毒组小鼠肝、肾组织中MT的含量与对照组相比明显升高(P0.05),且随着染毒剂量增加MT表达增强。研究结果提示,Cd Te QDs对小鼠肝、肾组织具有一定的毒作用,其毒作用大小与Cd Te QDs降解释放的游离Cd2+含量呈正相关。     

三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯对大鼠的神经毒性效应

考察三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯(TDCPP)对大鼠神经系统的毒性效应及其毒性机制,为有机磷阻燃剂(OPFRs)对哺乳动物神经毒性及其临床防治提供基础数据和科学依据。以Sprague-Dawley (SD)大鼠为受试生物,将TDCPP溶于橄榄油配制不同染毒剂量(125、250和500 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))进行灌胃处理,溶剂对照组以相同体积的橄榄油进行灌胃,空白对照组不做任何处理,染毒周期为12周。结果表明,溶剂对照组和空白对照组的各项检测指标均无显著性差别(P0.05)。TDCPP染毒组与对照组之间的差异主要表现为(1)体重变化:染毒期间,TDCPP处理组大鼠的体重与对照组相比有下降的趋势,在第12周中剂量染毒组和高剂量染毒组大鼠体重均显著性低于对照组(P0.05);(2)行为学实验:Morris水迷宫实验结果表明,高剂量的TDCPP对大鼠的空间学习记忆能力造成影响,主要表现为在定位航行实验中,高剂量染毒组大鼠的逃避潜伏期显著性高于对照组和低剂量染毒组(P0.05),而在空间探索实验中,高剂量染毒组大鼠在目标象限停留时间显著性低于对照组(P0.05);(3)生化指标检测:各组间纹状体内多巴胺(DA)含量并无显著性差异(P 0.05),染毒组乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)活性与对照组相比显著性降低(P0.01)且具有剂量依赖性,高剂量染毒组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著性降低,高剂量和中剂量染毒组谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量显著性降低(P0.05),这表明TDCPP对大鼠脑组织造成了氧化损伤,TDCPP染毒组脑组织的炎症因子(TNF-α)水平均高于对照组,且中剂量与高剂量染毒组TNF-α含量显著性高于对照组(P0.05),揭示TDCPP能引起大鼠脑部的炎症反应,对脑组织造成损伤;(4)纹状体超微结构:电镜结果表明,TDCPP可导致纹状体细胞受到损伤,主要表现为细胞核固缩、线粒体损伤和突触间隙减小。研究表明,TDCPP可引起大鼠体重明显下降,导致大鼠神经细胞损伤,行为改变,抑制ACh E、SOD活性及GSH含量,使炎症介质增高,引起大鼠脑组织的氧化损伤和炎症反应。     

吡草醚原药对大鼠一般生长情况的影响及其慢性肾毒性研究

研究吡草醚原药对大鼠一般生长情况的影响,寻找慢性毒性靶器官以及确定最大无作用剂量(NOAEL)。将初重为40~50 g的SPF级SD大鼠随机分成对照、低、中和高剂量组,160只/组,雌雄各半。各组动物分别给予含有不同浓度吡草醚原药的饲料(0,80,400,2 000 mg·kg-1的饲料),染毒期间不限制摄食饮水,期限为104周。结果显示雌、雄鼠中、高剂量组1~104周的体重、增重、食物利用率与对照组比较,于不同阶段均有不同程度降低,差异有显著性(P0.05或P0.01或P0.001);中、高剂量受试物可导致大鼠血液中尿素氮(BUN)水平升高及胆碱酯酶(Ch E)水平下降,肾脏器系数升高,与对照组比较差异有显著性(P0.05或P0.01或P0.001);病理学检查显示中、高剂量组可引起肾小管上皮细胞变性、肾脏间质炎、慢性进行性肾病等。实验结果表明在本试验条件下,中、高剂量的吡草醚原药可明显影响大鼠的体重增长及食物利用率,对SD大鼠的慢性毒性靶器官是肾脏。     

PFOS致大鼠肝毒性及其作用机制研究

通过全氟辛烷磺酸(perfluomoctane sultanate,PFOS)大鼠灌胃染毒实验评价PFOS对肝功能的影响,探讨PFOS肝毒性反应的潜在机制与可能途径。将Sprague Dawley (SD)雄性大鼠随机分为3组,分别以0 mg·kg~(-1)、5 mg·kg~(-1)和10 mg·kg~(-1)PFOS灌胃染毒28 d。以HE和油红染色法观察大鼠肝脏形态改变。ELISA法测定各组谷丙转氨酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、谷草转氨酶(aspartate transaminase,AST)、碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)含量变化。化学比色法测定肝匀浆脂代谢水平和氧化产物含量。RT-PCR法检测肝脏内氧化应激以及脂代谢相关基因表达水平。结果表明,PFOS暴露大鼠体重显著降低而肝脏系数显著增加(P0.05),与对照组相比PFOS组血清肝功能酶均出现随PFOS浓度增加而升高(P0.05)。同时大鼠肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-px)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)水平在高剂量组显著升高(P0.05),超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)含量先显著升高(P0.05)后显著降低(P0.05)。且肝脏中脂代谢水平也随PFOS浓度的增加而出现显著改变(P0.05)。PFOS组基因表达均较对照组显著上升(P0.05)。以上结果说明PFOS具有明显的肝毒性作用,可影响肝脂代谢水平,这可能与PFOS引起的氧化应激所导致的损伤有关。     

三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯诱发肝脏损害及病理改变研究

本研究观测有机磷酯阻燃剂(OPFRs)污染是否可以诱发肝脏损害,考察其发生及发展程度,并探讨其发生机理,为有机磷阻燃剂污染的防治和相关疾病的有效治疗提供基础数据和科学依据。实验以大鼠为动物模型,将60只SPF级SD雄性大鼠分为5组,每组12只,选取典型的氯代有机磷阻燃剂三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)磷酸酯(TDCPP)对大鼠进行染毒,空白对照组不做任何处理,溶剂对照组以相同体积的橄榄油灌胃,染毒组以不同剂量的TDCPP进行灌胃(125 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)、250 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)和500 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)),每周测量体重,于第4周和第8周取血检测肝功及其他生化指标,在第8周每组抽取3只大鼠取肝脏组织做HE染色,并用透射电镜观察分析肝组织病理学改变。TDCPP对大鼠染毒8周后,结果表明:(1)体重指标在灌胃1周后开始发生差异,TDCPP处理组大鼠的体重有下降的趋势,染毒组与空白对照组和溶剂对照组相比较,差异显著(*P0.05,**P0.01),其中高剂量灌胃组的体重下降最为明显(**P0.01);(2)血清肝功指标表现出显著变化,血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、胆固醇和甘油三脂水平在第8周呈现明显下降趋势,染毒组与空白对照组和溶剂对照组比较,差异明显(*P0.05,**P0.01);(3) TDCPP暴露组生理生化指标变化明显,血清乙酰胆碱酯酶活性显著降低,MDA含量显著升高,SOD活力显著性降低,造成氧化损伤,与空白对照组和溶剂对照组比较,差异显著(*P0.05,**P0.01);(4)病理切片结果显示染毒组与对照组比较,细胞坏死现象明显,且高剂量组坏死更为严重。研究结果显示:TDCPP可引起大鼠体重明显下降,大鼠肝脏细胞损伤、合成功能下降,造成肝脏代谢功能紊乱,造成较为严重的肝损伤。     

运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二噁英持续暴露大鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响

为探索运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二噁英(2,3,7,8-TCDD)持续暴露大鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响,本研究将7周龄雄性SD大鼠适应性喂养1周后,随机分为对照(NC)、运动对照(EC)、染毒1(NT1)、运动染毒1(ET1)、染毒2(NT2)、运动染毒2(ET2)、染毒3(NT3)、运动染毒3(ET3)、染毒4(NT4)及运动染毒4(ET4)共10组。染毒组(NTs、ETs)腹腔注射TCDD(溶于玉米油),对照组及各染毒组首次剂量依次为0、0.4、1.6、6.4、25.6μg·kg~(-1)(以单位体重计),之后每周给予上述剂量的21%作为维持剂量,持续染毒8周;运动组尾部负重5%游泳,每周5 d,每次30 min。实验结束取材,测定血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、肝组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性及丙二醛(MDA)、活性氧(ROS)含量。结果显示:1)染毒可升高各染毒组大鼠血清AST活性及NT4组大鼠血清ALT活性,增加NT2、NT3组肝脏MDA含量,而降低NT1、NT2组大鼠血清ALT活性;2)运动可升高大鼠血清AST及ALT活性,增加大鼠肝组织GSH-Px活性;3)运动可升高染毒大鼠血清AST活性(T1剂量),降低染毒大鼠血清ALT活性(T1剂量),降低染毒大鼠血清AST活性(T3剂量),升高染毒大鼠血清ALT活性(T3、T4剂量),增加染毒大鼠肝组织SOD活性(T2、T3剂量)、CAT活性(T1、T2、T3剂量)及GSH-Px活性(T2、T3、T4剂量),降低染毒大鼠肝组织MDA含量(T2、T3、T4剂量)及ROS含量(T1、T3剂量)。结果表明,2,3,7,8-TCDD持续暴露8周可引起大鼠肝细胞氧化应激损伤,并产生剂量依赖效应;而有氧运动可增加2,3,7,8-TCDD持续暴露(T2、T3剂量)大鼠肝组织抗氧化酶活性,有效降低氧化应激损伤而减轻肝毒性。     

运动对急性暴露于2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英大鼠肝组织酶活性的影响

为了研究运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英(2,3,7,8-TCDD)急性暴露大鼠肝组织酶活性的影响,将40只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC)、染毒组(NT)、运动对照组(EC)、运动染毒组(ET)。染毒组(NT组与ET组)腹腔注射10μg·kg-1(以单位体重计)的TCDD,对照组(NC组与EC组)腹腔注射等量的玉米油;NT、NC组静养4周,ET、EC组运动(尾部负重5%游泳30分钟)4周。4周后,称重并宰杀大鼠,分离肝组织,称重后-80℃保存待测7-乙氧基异吩恶唑酮脱乙基酶(EROD)、7-乙氧基香豆素-O-脱乙基酶(ECOD)及芳香烃羟化酶(AHH)的活性。将数据进行多因素方差分析(MAVONA)处理,结果表明,染毒可降低大鼠体重,增加肝湿重和肝相对重量、增加EROD、ECOD活性;运动可增加大鼠肝相对重量、增加AHH的活性;染毒后运动可降低EROD、ECOD的活性。结论:急性10μg·kg-1(以单位体重计)TCDD染毒后4周可增加大鼠肝相对重量;4周的运动能有效降低TCDD对EROD、ECOD活性的激活作用。     

Determination of andrographolide sodium bisulfite in renal microdialysis fluid of rats and toxicokinetic study

Abstract

Andrographolide sodium bisulfite (ASB) widely used for intestinal infections and respiratory tract infections. It has been reported to frequently cause acute renal failure in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nephrotoxicity and toxicokinetics in Sprague-Dawley rats after a single-dose injection of ASB administered at 100, 600, and 1000?mg/kg via intravenous tail injections. The concentrations in plasma and kidney microdialysates were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in plasma were determined and toxicokinetic parameters were observed. In plasma and kidney, the elimination constant and clearance were decreased and the half-time was increased with increasing dose. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were positively correlated with ASB concentration indicating the potential for accumulation in kidney that can eventually lead to damage.     

Phytochemical screening and toxicological profile of methanolic extract of Picralima nitida fruit-rind (Apocynaceae)

The methanol (M) extract of the fruit-rinds of Picralima nitida (PN) was analyzed phytochemically and evaluated for its toxicity effect in Wistar rats. The rats were administered graded doses (0.75, 1.5, 3, and 6 g kg^?1 p.o) of the extract daily for 6 weeks and the toxicological effect of these varying levels of extract were examined on the serum, hepatic, and renal concentration of biochemical parameters as well as the histopathology of tissue section of these liver, kidney, and lungs. Clinical signs and hematology were also evaluated. Phytochemical analysis revealed that alkaloids and polyphenols were major compounds. Both biochemical and histopathological data presented demonstrate dose-dependent signs of toxicity. Our results show a significant elevation in serum concentration of aspartate amino-transferase, alanine amino-transferase, glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol, and protein with high-dose of PN treatment tested. PN also caused a significant reduction in hepatic malondialdehyde and a slight increase in glutathione concentration at the lowest dose tested. Renal urea level was reduced significantly in test groups. A significant change was observed in the relative weights of the spleen, heart, and kidneys. The total white blood cell count was reduced, whereas the hematocrit level was increased remarkably in animals that received high doses of the extract. The acute toxicity LD₅₀ was estimated at 14.5 and 12.5 g kg^?1 body weight for male and female, respectively. These results show that prolonged usage of this extract at 1.5–6 g kg^?1 dose could cause liver, kidney, and lung injury, while the effect was mild at small dose levels (0.75 g kg^?1). Thus, the extract should be taken with caution bearing in mind that higher doses could affect the liver, kidneys, and lungs.     

Effect of a popular Middle Eastern food (Falafel) on rat liver

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term consumption of oil and frying oil extracted from falafel patties, and then to study the long-term effect of consumption of falafel patties on rat liver gross morphology and serum liver enzymes. The frying oil quality was assessed using thiobarbituric acid reaction on rat liver homogenate. Frying oil and oil extracted from falafel patties were administered to male Wistar albino rats via gavage for 5 days. Blood samples were collected and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and bilirubin levels were determined. Livers were weighed and gross morphology was assessed. For the long-term effect of falafel consumption, rats were fed falafel patties for 30 days, and then blood samples were collected and assayed for the above-mentioned parameters. Short-term consumption of falafel extracts and frying oil did not cause any significant difference in the liver function tests and liver gross morphology. Whereas, long-term consumption of falafel patties caused a significant increase in ALP, ALT, bilirubin level and increased liver weight/body weight ratio denoting hepatotoxicity. This indicates that consumption of large amounts of falafel on daily basis might lead to hepatotoxicity.     

Protective role of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin on mercuric chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: evidence by histological architecture

Mercury (Hg) is a potent nephrotoxin. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin against HgCl₂-induced nephrotoxicity. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered HgCl₂ (12 μmol kg^?1, ip; once only) followed by treatment of Curcuma longa extract (200 mg kg^?1, po) and curcumin (80 mg kg^?1, po) for three days after 24 h of HgCl₂ administration. The present results showed that mercuric chloride administration caused an impairment of renal function system which was evident from significant increase in urea, creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen concentration in serum. In addition, the swelling in glomerulus and degenerated renal tubules with obstructed lumen was also observed by acute mercuric chloride administration. Treatment with Curcuma longa extract and curcumin was effective in restoring all variables of kidney functions near to control group, which was consistent with kidney histoarchitecture. In conclusion, these results suggest that Curcuma longa extract and curcumin protect against HgCl₂-induced nephrotoxicity. This study could be important for the further understanding of mercury toxicity in renal tissues and in the development of better treatments for people and/or animals exposed to the metal.     

Histopathological effects of artemether on selected organs in rat

Dose and treatment-duration neurotoxic effects are reported for artemisinin drugs of mostly the liposoluble derivatives; and yet artemether, the only parenteral formulation of the artemisinin series available in Nigeria is fat-soluble and also has a treatment-duration of 5–7 days (in an attempt to delay recrudescence). Since parenteral drugs are usually resorted to in severe/complicated or multidrug-resistant malaria against the oral artemisinin co-formulated therapies (ACT), this study is aimed to investigate the pathological changes on selected tissues (if any), in rats, of the normal 7-days artemether-injections when used both in the normal and higher doses. Artemether was administered i.p., at three dose levels, equivalent to therapeutic dose (1.5 mg kg^?1) as well as 5 and 10 times higher (7.5 and 15 mg kg^?1). A three percentage v/v Tween 80 vehicle was used for the control experiment. The pathological changes in the kidney, heart, liver, and lungs evaluated using percentage mean organ:body-weight ratio showed no changes in the organs. No histopathological effect was observed in the organs of rats treated with 1.5 mg kg^?1. However, rats treated with 7.5 and 15 mg kg^?1 revealed necrositic lesions with mononuclear cellular-infiltration in the liver and brain. The liver had focal area necrosis, while the brain had liquefactive necrosis, neuronal degeneration, congested blood vessels, hemorrhage, and vacuolations. The interstitial spaces of the glomerulus and renal tubules of one kidney from rats that received 15 mg kg^?1 had focal area fibrositic-necrosis.     

Protective effects of curcumin on antioxidant status,body weight gain,and reproductive parameters in male rats exposed to subchronic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin (CUR) on antioxidant status, body weight (BW) gains, and some reproductive parameters in male rats exposed to subchronic doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. The first group was kept as control. The second group (TCDD group) was given TCDD at a dose of 50 ng·kg^?1 BW per day; the third group (CUR group) was treated with CUR at a dose of 80 mg·kg^?1 BW per day. The fourth group (TCDD + CUR group) was given TCDD and CUR at the same doses simultaneously. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased in the TCDD group. In addition, TCDD exposure decreased liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activities of kidney and brain, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities of liver, kidney, and brain, and glutathione levels of liver, kidney, and heart. However, CUR treatment with TCDD exposure decreased MDA levels in all tissues and increased SOD activities of liver, kidney, and brain, CAT activity of heart, and GSH-Px activities of heart and brain. TCDD caused a decrease in BW gain, and CUR partially eliminated this effect of TCDD. In addition, while reproductive organ weights, sperm concentration, and sperm motility tended to decrease with TCDD exposure, these effects tended to be close to normal levels by CUR treatment. In conclusion, CUR was seen to be effective in the treatment and prevention of toxicity induced by subchronic TCDD exposure.     

Protective effects of honey against cadmium-induced alteration of some biochemical parameters in rats

The objective of this study is to elucidate on the effect of honey on plasma and organ biochemical parameters of albino rats exposed to acute and sub-chronic dose of cadmium chloride. Uric acid levels, activities of plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, organ (liver, lungs, and kidney) AST, ALT, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were determined. Plasma uric acid and glucose levels, plasma LDH, AST, and ALT activities were significantly decreased; activities of organ SOD, CAT, AST, and ALT activities were increased in rats administered sub-chronically and acutely with cadmium (Cd). Treatment with honey restored their levels to normal.     

苯急性暴露对Sprague-Dawley大鼠全基因组DNA甲基化的影响

现有文献表明,DNA甲基化异常与肿瘤的发生密切相关,其中全基因组DNA甲基化水平的改变已经被认为是癌症发生的生物标志物;同时,大量遗传毒理学实验证明苯可以引起DNA突变和断裂,然而苯暴露引起全基因组DNA甲基化异常的现象,目前鲜有文献报道。为了揭示苯引起全基因组DNA甲基化变化的致毒机制,本实验中,Sprague-Dawley（SD）雄性大鼠经口灌胃急性暴露于以500 mg.kg-1（以体质量计）的苯中,在暴露6、12、24、30 h后采集SD雄性大鼠体内血液、肝脏、肾脏和肺,利用高效液相色谱分析方法检测全基因组DNA甲基化水平。结果表明,SD雄性大鼠血液和肝脏的全基因组DNA甲基化水平显著下降,而在肾脏和肺中没有显著地变化,表现出组织特异性。本实验率先报道了苯的暴露可以引起全基因组DNA甲基化水平的异常,从表观遗传学的角度解释了苯影响人体健康的机制。