Effect of mercuric chloride on circulating hormones in adult albino rats

The effect of mercuric chloride at two different doses, 0.5 mg/kg body weight (low dose), 1 mg/kg body weight (high dose), for 30 days, was seen on the circulating hormones in the mature male albino rats. Testosterone level was markedly decreased in the low dose (P < 0.01) and high dose (P < 0.001) treated animals. The level of luteinizing hormone (LH) was also reduced in the low dose (P < 0.01) as well as in the high dose (P < 0.001) treated animals. However, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL) levels were found to be decreased only in the high dose (P < 0. 05) treated animals and no change was observed in the low dose treated animals. The changes in the hormone levels caused by the mercuric chloride treatment suggest the dysfunction of pituitary-testicular axis.     

Demonstration of sperm head shape abnormality and clastogenic potential of cypermethrin

Adult male Swiss albino mice were administered ip. suspension solution of cypermethrin in 0.15% DMSO at the doses of 30 mg, 60 mg and 90 mg/kg b. wt. daily for 5 days. Another group of animals was injected cyclophosphamide ip. (60 mg/kg b. wt.) in similar manner which served as positive control. Effect of cypermethrin on body and testes weight and sperm head morphology was studied. Clastogenic potential of cypermethrin was studied by using modified Allium test. The cytological changes were studied in the root tip cells of Allium cepa after 3 days treatment with three different concentration of cypermethrin (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 microg/ml). The results revealed that body weight gain was considerably reduced in higher dose groups, but the testicular weight did not change significantly in any of the cypermethrin treated groups. However, a significant elevation in the number of abnormal shape of sperm head was noticed in higher dose groups as compared to control. It was observed that the abnormality in the shape of sperm head was dose-dependent. The cytological changes in the root tip cells of Allium cepa indicated that cypermethrin is having toxic effects on the root tip cells in the form of stickiness of chromosomes and also affect the mitotic activity. This study suggest that cypermethrin may have the potential to induce adverse effects on sperm head shape morphology of mouse as well as clastogenic effects on root tip cells of Allium cepa.     

Cybil induced hepatobiochemical changes in wistar rats

Cybil, 25%EC formulation of Cypermethrin, induces biochemical changes in the liver of wistar rats after oral intubation of the same at acute (one day) and subacute (7, 14 and 21 days) levels. The changes were tallied with the controls run simultaneously. LD50 of Cybil was estimated to be 622mg/kg body weight The acute dose is 80mg/kg body weight exposed for one day i.e. 24 hours and subacute dose is 4mg/kg body weight exposed for 7, 14 and 21 days. When compared with the control values, both the doses enhanced the level of glycogen, cholesterol, total lipid and acid phosphatase activities, while decreased activity of alkaline phosphatase. Alterations in glycogen, cholesterol, total lipid, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase resulted in the impairement in liver physiology.     

Pre-administration of beta-carotene protects tissue glutathione and lipid peroxidation status following exposure to gamma radiation

The present study has been aimed to investigate the protective effect of beta-carotene against radiation-induced oxidative stress in mice tissues using lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) as end points. Fourteen days oral priming administration of beta-carotene (35 mg/kg body weight) followed by an acute dose of gamma radiation (5 Gy) inhibited the augmented level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and a statistically significant protection against GSH depletion. Results evaluated from this study clearly indicate the antioxidative property of beta-carotene against gamma radiation, which is suggestive of free radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching.     

Effect of DDVP on the histology and AChE kinetics of heart muscles of Rattus norvegicus

The LD50 of DDVP (Dichloro, dimethyl vinyl phosphate) for Rattus norvegicus was 21.4 mg/kg. b.w. The two sub lethal doses 1 and 3 mg/kg showed many histopathological changes in the working heart muscles and also showed significant necrosis in this S-A node, A-V node and bunble of His of the cardiac conducting system. These sublethal doses of the OP pesticide caused a significant inhibition of AChE. The maximum inhibition was noticed at the highest dose. The enhanced inhibitory constant Km and ACh contents in the heart muscles with the increase of dose showed inhibition of enzyme. The constant Vmax showed competitive nature of inhibition. A significant inhibition of AChE (69%) indicated that DDVP is a strong inhibitor of enzyme in heart.     

Acute toxicity and histopathology study of a galactose-specific lectin from the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) (Hutch and Dalz)

A lactose-binding lectin (TCL) was purified from the seeds of African walnut, Tetracarpidium conophorum, and acute toxicity studies of the lectin were carried out with Swiss albino male mice. Animals were administered doses of TCL from 500 to 2500?mg?kg^?1 body weight (b.wt.) orally while intraperitoneally the dose ranged from 10 to 600?mg?kg^?1 b.wt. Animals were then assessed for organ and body weight changes, mortality, and histopathology. TCL did not cause any observable toxicity via the oral route; however, when administered intraperitoneally, TCL elicited toxicity with an LD₅₀ of 50?mg?kg^?1 b.wt. Death from intoxication was preceded by convulsion, hypoactivity, salivation, ataxia, and weakness. The animals given lethal doses of the lectin showed profound respiratory depression which was judged to be the primary cause of death. Histopathological analysis indicated that the lungs, liver, and spleen were adversely affected while the kidney and other organs were essentially normal. In all the affected organs, the severity of toxicity was dose-dependent as the effect of the lectin became more pronounced with increase of the dose administered.     

Effect of the extract of Thespesia populnea leaves on mice testis

Male swiss mice were administered with the leaf extract of Thespesia populnea at a daily dose of 400 mg/kg body weight for 15 days and the testis were subjected to structural analysis. The structure of the seminiferous tubule in the testis of treated animal was elongated. Sertoli cells were enlarged in its structure and spermatids became round and disintegrated. It is suggested that the extract of T. populnea treatment leads to pathological changes in the seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells and spermatids of the testis.     

Protective effect of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on phenol-induced cytotoxicity in albino mice

The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on cytotoxicity induced by phenol (PHE) in mice. We used weight gain and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity and supported these parameters with pathological findings. The animals were randomly divided into seven groups: (Group I) only tap water (Group II) 1000 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, (Group III) 35 mg kg(-1) body wt. PHE (Group IV) 35 mg kg(-1) body wt. PHE + 250 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea (Group V) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 500 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea (Group VI) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 750 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, (Group VII) 35 mg kg(-1) b. wt PHE + 1000 microl kg(-1) b. wt KM-tea, for 20 consecutive days by oral gavage. The results indicated that all KM-tea supplemented mice showed a lower MN frequency than erythrocytes in only PHE-treated group. There was an observable regression on account of lesions in tissues of mice supplemented with different doses of KM-tea in histopathological observations. In conclusion, the KM-tea supplementation decreases cytotoxicity induced by PHE and its protective role is dose-dependent.     

DNA damage in mouse organs and in human sperm cells by bisphenol A

Abstract

The in vivo genotoxic potential of bisphenol A using the comet assay in mice and in human sperm cells in vitro without metabolizing enzymes was studied. Male mice were exposed by oral gavage to the following doses of bisphenol A (0 125, 250 and 500?mg/kg body weight). DNA damage was investigated in liver, kidney, testes, urinary bladder, colon and lungs cells. In testicular cells, a significant increase in DNA strand breaks was observed in the lowest, but not in the medium or highest dose groups. Histopathological investigation of the testicular samples did not show any treatment dose-related effects. No DNA strand breaks were observed in any of the other investigated tissues. In human sperm cells in vitro, bisphenol A did not induce DNA strand breaks.     

Effects of coconut product–caffeine interactions on liver cells in Wistar albino rats

The effects of interactions between coconut products and caffeine on the induction of drug-metabolizing enzyme in Wistar albino rats were studied. Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups: (Group 1) control received via oral route a placebo (4 mL distilled water). Groups 2–4 were treated for a 14-day period, respectively, with 50 mg caffeine/kg body weight (BW), 50 mg caffeine/kg plus 50 mg coconut water/kg, or 50 mg caffeine/kg plus 50 mg coconut milk/kg in a 4 mL volume via gastric intubation. One day after the after the final exposure, the animals were euthanized by inhalation of an overdose of chloroform. The blood of each rat was collected by cardiac puncture, and the liver of each was harvested and processed to examine several biochemical parameters, including total protein and RNA levels, protein/RNA ratios, and the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST, respectively). Results showed that while ingestion of coconut milk and coconut water increased the values of protein and protein/RNA ratios, there was a decrease in ALT and AST activities. These effects were opposite to those produced by caffeine alone and may prevent the adverse effects attributed to caffeine.     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)对小白鼠肝脏毒性及脂质过氧化损伤

为研究邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)对小鼠肝脏的毒性及脂质过氧化损伤作用机制,选择昆明4周龄小鼠80只,雌雄各半,随机分为4组。经食饵连续自然给食染毒,于染毒第4周末处死。测量小鼠肝脏和体重的变化,测定不同DEHP染毒剂量组小鼠的血液、肝脏中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)、过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的变化。将实验数据进行ANO-VA分析处理。结果表明,随着染毒剂量的增加,小鼠体重逐渐减少(p<0.01),高剂量组肝脏器系数明显上升(p<0.01)。苏木精-伊红染色法(简称HE染色)可见高剂量组肝脏组织有明显损伤。与对照组相比,DEHP3个剂量染毒组小鼠血液(75mg·kg-1组除外)及肝脏中GPX活性降低(p<0.05,p<0.01),H2O2含量增加(p<0.05,p<0.01);肝组织中(75mg·kg-1组除外)SOD活性降低(p<0.05,p<0.01),MDA含量增加(p<0.01)。以上结果说明DEHP对小鼠肝脏的毒性作用机制可能为脂质过氧化反应。     

Lead induced spermatoxicity in mouse and MPG treatment

Protective efficacy of MPG (2-mercaptopropionyl glycine) was studied against the toxic effects of lead acetate in Swiss albino mice. The animals were treated with single dose of lead acetate @ 180, 200 and 250 mg/kg b.wt. in presence and absence of MPG. The results indicated that the body weight was slightly higher in MPG treated groups on day 10 as compared to only respective lead treated groups in all the three dose level. However, significantly lower body weight was observed in both lead treated and lead along with MPG treated groups as compared to control. Patten of mortality is similar in both lead treated and lead plus MPG treated groups. Conspicuous degenerative changes in testicular tissues and elevation in sperm head shape abnormality were observed in both lead treated and lead along with MPG treated groups but the sperm head shape abnormality and damage were more in lead treated groups as compared to lead plus MPG treated groups. But this difference was non-significant between the two groups. These observations suggest that MPG may not be significantly effective against lead induced damage in testicular tissues at cellular level. However, MPG is able to maintain slightly lower level of sperm abnormality in all the three dose level as compared to their respective lead treated groups. Further, studies are needed to find out the optimum dose of MPG for protection against the lower doses of lead induced lethality as MPG is not significantly effective against the higher doses of lead.     

二氧化硫体内衍生物对小鼠的显性致死作用

采用二氧化硫(SO2)衍生物亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠(二者的物质的量之比为3:1)腹腔注射的方法,研究其对雄性小鼠生殖细胞的遗传毒性.结果表明,雄鼠经SO2衍生物染毒后再与雌鼠交配,导致:(1)雌鼠受孕率下降,显性致死率增高,且均有明确的剂量-效应关系;(2)胚胎生长迟缓,活胎平均重量下降.研究得出结论:SO2及其衍生物对雄性小鼠有生殖毒性作用.表2参14     

白眉蝮蛇（Agkistrodon halys ussuriensis）蛇毒精氨酸酯酶对小鼠的生殖毒性及F1子代的影响

研究了白眉蝮蛇蛇毒中分离的纯精氨酸酯酶对小鼠的一般生殖毒性及对F1代小鼠的影响 .0 .36U/kg剂量使雄性F0 小鼠体重增长缓慢 ,并使睾丸系数增大 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但病理学检验睾丸和附睾正常 ;该剂量处理孕鼠 ,减轻了胎鼠和新生F1代小鼠的体重 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但对F0 雌性小鼠的生殖功能及F1代小鼠的一般体征、中枢神经系统发育及生殖机能均无影响 (P >0 .0 5 ) .纯精氨酸酯酶对小鼠生殖无毒剂量为 0 .18U/kg .表 2参 9     

Effects of benzo(a)pyrene on blood components,tumor markers,and oxidative status in mice

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in mice. Hemogram, tumor markers, oxidative status, and B(a)P residues in liver tissue were evaluated. Sixty albino Swiss mice were randomly distributed equally into three groups; the control was given 0.1?mL corn oil once a week for 8 weeks. The other two groups were given 20 and 40?mg B(a)P per kg body weight once a week orally for the same period. B(a)P-treated mice suffered from depression and ascites, and macrocytic normochromic anemia was recorded at the 16th and 30th week. There was marked leukocytosis with lymphocytosis at the early stage of the experiment, followed by leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia at the end of the experiment. Monocytes and arginase activity were elevated throughout the experiment. Alpha feto-protein was detected only in the experimental groups in the 30th week of the experiment. A marked increase in lipid peroxides associated with a decrease in reduced glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was observed in liver homogenate of the B(a)P-exposed animals. Residues of B(a)P were detected in liver tissue with a concentration parallel to the B(a)P dose level. In conclusion, B(a)P caused abnormal changes in the hemogram, evidence of tumor formation through B(a)P-induced oxidative stress, and it was accumulated in the liver tissue of mice.     

Effect on fishes of two toxic polypeptides isolated from Anemonia sulcata

The effects of two toxic polypeptides isolated from Anemonia sulcata Pennant (Anthozoa) were tested on Gadus morhua, Pleuronectes platess and Platichthys flesus. In tramuscular injections caused paralysis and death, with symptoms similar to those of death caused by lack of oxygen. In cod, the LD₅₀ dose of Toxin II was 50 times higher chan that of Toxin I (Toxin I=6.9 mg/kg, Toxin II=0.14 mg/kg). Flatfish were less sensitive. The LD₅₀ of Toxin II was 0.37 mg/kg for Platichthys flesus and 0.38 mg/kg for Pleuronectes platessa. Both toxins are less lethal to fishes than to crustaceans.     

The role of thymoquinone as antioxidant protection on oxidative stress induced by imidacloprid in male and female Swiss albino mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ), an antioxidant agent, against imidacloprid (IMI)-induced oxidative stress in male and female mice. In total, 48 Swiss Albino male and female mice were fed a standard rodent diet and divided into 3 equal groups: the animals in the control group (vehicle treated) were given corn oil, the second group were orally administered 15 mg/kg/day IMI alone, and the third group were orally administered 15 mg/kg/day IMI and with TQ at 10 mg/kg/day for 21 days. During the experimental period, there were no significant changes between initial body weights and final body weights of IMI treated male and female mice. IMI produced significant increase in blood, liver, kidney, and heart malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decrease in blood and liver glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, IMI treatment decreased erythrocyte, liver, and kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in male mice and decreased erythrocyte and liver SOD activity in female mice. Erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activities were found to be low in male and female mice. However, treatment with TQ reversed IMI-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, TQ exhibited protective action against the IMI-induced histopathological changes in tissues of male and female mice. In conclusion, TQ was found to be effective in protecting mice against IMI-induced oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms.     

Scaling toxicity data across species

The response of various species to doses of chemicals can often give the impression that some (such as cattle in the case of molybdenum) are much more susceptible than others to these chemicals. These impressions usually rely on an underlying assumption that equivalent doses are based on mg of the chemical per kg body weight of the animal. That is, that doses scale as the first power of body weight. This assumption is more often wrong than right. When viewed in a more general way, where the scaling is proportional to a power of the body weight and the exponent determined empirically, it is often found that equivalent doses scale with an exponent in the range of 0.6 to 0.8. As a result, larger animals are indeed more susceptible to toxicity on a mg kg^–1 body weight basis, but this is not because of unique differences in the species, but only because of different body sizes. This method of scaling is called allometry or allometric scaling. An early version of this approach was based on body surface area where the exponent is 2/3. More recently, pharmacokinetics has revealed that the reason for the different response of larger animals is related to the slower metabolic and clearance rates for larger animals which give rise to larger biological half-lives for chemicals in the body and to higher tissue concentrations per given dose.     

An experimental evaluation of transgenerational isotope labelling in a coral reef grouper

Transgenerational isotope labelling (TRAIL) using enriched stable isotopes provides a novel means of mass-marking marine fish larvae and estimating larval dispersal. The technique, therefore, provides a new way of addressing questions about demographic population connectivity and larval export from no-take marine protected areas. However, successful field applications must be preceded by larval rearing studies that validate the geochemical marking technique, determine appropriate concentrations and demonstrate that larvae are not adversely affected. Here, we test whether injection of enriched stable barium isotopes (¹³⁵Ba and ¹³⁷Ba) at two dose rates produces unequivocal marks on the otoliths of the coral reef grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. We also assess potential negative effects on reproductive performance, egg size, condition and larval growth due to injection of adult female fish. The injection of barium isotopes at both 0.5 and 2.0 mg Ba/kg body weight into the body cavities of gravid female fish was 100% successful in the geochemical tagging of the otoliths of larvae from the first spawning after injection. The low-dose rate produced no negative effects on eggs or larvae. However, the higher dose rate of 2 mg Ba/kg produced small reductions in yolk sac area, oil globule area, standard length and head depth of pre-feeding larvae. Given the success of the 0.5 mg Ba/kg dose rate, it is clearly possible to produce a reliable mark and keep the concentration below any level that could affect larval growth or survival. Hence, enriched Ba isotope injections will provide an effective means of mass-marking grouper larvae.