Volume 22, Issue 1-2

No abstract available

Hexavalent chromium or chromium (VI) is a powerful epithelial irritant and a confirmed human carcinogen. This heavy metal is toxic to many plants, aquatic animals, and bacteria. Chromium (VI) which consists of 10%–15% total chromium usage, is principally used for metal plating (H 2 Cr 2 O 7 ), as dyes, paint pigments, and leather tanning, etc. Industrial production of chromium (II) and (III) compounds are also available but in small amounts as compared to chromium (VI). Chromium (VI) can act as an oxidant directly on the skin surface or it can be absorbed through the skin, especially if the skin surface is damaged. The prooxidative effects of chromium (VI) inhibit antioxidant enzymes and deplete intracellular glutathione in living systems and act as hematotoxic, immunotoxic, hepatotoxic, pulmonary toxic, and nephrotoxic agents. In this review, we particularly address the hexavalent chromium-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and increased lipid peroxidation in humans and animals, and the possible role of garlic ( Allium sativum Linn) as a protective antioxidant.

The present study was designed to examine the antioxidative potential and antihyperlipidemic activity of Swietenia macrophylla in streptozotocin diabetic rats. The experimental groups were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg/kg body weight, BW). Rats with glucose levels >200 mg/dL were considered diabetic and were divided into five groups. Three groups of diabetic animals were orally administered daily with seed extract (SME) at a dosage of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg BW. One group of STZ rats was treated as diabetic control and another group orally administered 600 μg/kg BW glibenclamide daily. Repeated daily oral administration of S. macrophylla significantly reduced blood glucose levels after 45 days of treatment. The lipid peroxidation products such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides of SME treated rats decreased in the plasma, liver and kidney. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were significantly increased in SME treated rats. Antioxidants such as reduced glutathione level in the plasma, liver and kidney and vitamins C and E levels in the plasma increased in SME treated rats. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and free fatty acids and lipoproteins levels increased. Altered lipid profile of treated rats lead to normality with treatment of S. macrophylla . Thus, our results indicate that the administration of 100 mg/kg BW SME restores near normal blood glucose, redox status and lipid profile in STZ-diabetic rats.

In this study, an experiment was performed on Heteropneustes fossilis for short-term (1.76 mg/L chlorpyrifos, i.e., 0.8 of 96-h LC 50 ) and long-term (0.44 mg/L chlorpyrifos, i.e., 0.2 of 96-h LC 50 ) exposure. The fish were sacrificed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in the short-term experiment and after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days in the long-term experiment. On these intervals, blood was collected and analysis of serum calcium was done. Ultimobranchial glands were also fixed for histological study. The serum calcium levels of H. fossilis exhibit a decline after 24 h following exposure to chlorpyrifos. This decrease continues until the end of the experiment (96 h). The serum calcium levels of chronically exposed fish exhibit a decrease on day 7. Thereafter, the levels continue to fall progressively until the end of the experiment (28 days). The ultimobranchial gland of chlorpyrifos treated fish exhibits no histological change up to 48 h. After 72 h, there is a decrease in the staining response of cytoplasm of the ultimobranchial cells. The nuclear volume of these cells is slightly decreased. After 96 h following chlorpyrifos exposure, these changes become exaggerated. In chlorpyrifos-treated fish there is no change in the histological structure of the ultimobranchial gland up to 14 days. After 21 days, the cytoplasm of ultimobranchial cells stain feebly and the nuclear volume of these cells exhibits a decrease. Following 28 days treatment, the nuclear volume of these cells records a further decrease and the gland depicts vacuolization and degeneration at certain areas.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease caused by mutations of the gene encoding a channel protein CFTR, conducting Cl – and HCO 3 – ions. The disease is characterized by disturbances in most physiological systems, and more than 95% of men are infertile. The mechanism underlying the etiology of CF is associated with an imbalance of fatty acids. It has been suggested that the function of the endocannabinoid system is also disturbed in CF, because endocannabinoids are derivatives of fatty acids. We assumed, therefore, that endocannabinoid activity, which plays an important role in fertility, is disrupted in CF and could be one of the causes of infertility. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that stimulation of endocannabinoid receptors in infancy would normalize their function and prevent infertility in adulthood. Methods: Knockout male mice (cftr –/– ) were treated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), endocannabinoid receptors agonist, in infancy from days 7 until 28, daily. Results: CF males treated with THC were fully fertile, producing offspring comparable by the number of litters and the number of pups with wild-type mice. CF males that were not treated with THC were completely infertile. Conclusions: The present study shows that (i) endocannabinoid function is impaired in CF mice, as evidenced by the regenerating effect of its stimulation on the fertility of otherwise infertile males, (ii) endocannabinoid system dysfunction is apparently the determining factor causing infertility in CF, and (iii) mild stimulation of the endocannabinoid system in infancy and adolescence appears to normalize many reproductive processes and thereby prevent infertility in CF males.

Substantial data have been accumulated regarding the molecular basis of cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogenesis, whereas the influence of biochemical impairments on brain processes has been the focus of much less attention. We have studied some behavioral parameters, such as motor activity and anxiety level, in a mice model of CF. We have assumed that functioning of the endocannabinoid system could be impaired in CF (endocannabinoids are fatty acid derivatives, and fatty acid deficiency is considered a major factor in CF etiology). We have suggested that chronic treatment with cannabinoid receptors agonist during infancy would balance cannabinoid levels and prevent CF-related behavioral alterations. Motor activity and anxiety level were studied in naïve adult CF mice (cftr-deficient mice) and compared with wild-type mice and to CF mice treated chronically with Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC; endocannabinoid receptor agonist) during infancy (from days 7 to 28). Motor activity was tested in the tetrad, and level of anxiety in the plus maze, a month after cessation of treatment. Motor activity decrease and elevated anxiety level were found in adult naïve CF mice compared with wild-type mice. CF mice treated with THC in infancy showed normal motor activity and anxiety levels in adulthood. Motor function alteration and elevated anxiety levels in CF can result from lack of CFTR-channel in neurons and disturbed activity of various brain areas, as well as being secondary and mediated by fatty acids deficiency, altered levels of endocannabinoids and their receptors. It can be suggested that chronic treatment during infancy restores endocannabinoid function and thus prevents behavioral alterations.

Background : Ethanolic leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius was evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Methods : The analgesic activity of the extract was assayed by the formalin-induced paw licking test, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and hot plate test, whereas its anti-inflammatory activity was determined by its effects on carrageenan-induced paw edema. Results : The extract of C. aconitifolius prolonged the reaction time of mice to pain in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal analgesic effect of the extract was obtained when the extract was administered 90 min before pain stimulation in the hot plate test. The extract of C. aconitifolius (100 or 200 mg/kg b.w.) inhibited acetic acid-induced irritation of paws of rats comparably with that of indomethacin (10 mg/kg b.w.) and had significantly lower mean number of lickings of paws than the control rats (p<0.05). Carrageenan-induced edema was markedly inhibited (p<0.05) by the extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) when compared with control rats. Inhibition of writhing movement in rats administered with the extract was lower (p<0.05) than rats administered with indomethacin but its effect was dose-dependent. Conclusions : Our investigations show that C. aconitifolius possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities that should be explored.

Background : Human homeostasis is time related. Environmental physical factors also play a role. Recent studies published by the National Academy of Sciences (USA) describe human longevity links with the month of birth. The aim of this study was to check monthly birth distribution in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related to atherothrombosis – one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the industrial world. Methods : A total of 4732 (3594 men) subjects were included in the study. Patients treated with PCI for AMI in the years 2000 to March 2010 were studied. The population registry specific to 1950 excluded 1024 patients, i.e., those registered as born on January 1 and they were replaced with patients with an average of births from January 2 to 31. A total of 3675 patients were finally studied (2839 men, 836 women). Results : The average monthly birth number was 306±60.38. Significant monthly differences in birth number (q 2 =21.077, p<0.03) were observed. A higher birth rate in the first four months of the year was revealed, with the exception of February. The number of births in these months exceeded the following two four-month data (q 2 =20.57, p<0.024). March births exceeded the monthly average by more than two standard deviations (SD) – 462, with an analogical increase for both genders. In May–December births were below average. Conclusions : Patients with AMI treated with PCI show differences in the month of birth with the majority being born in the first four months of the year and of those most were born in March. Possible implications on pathogenetic clues of atherothrombosis can be assumed.

Histological changes observed under light microscope illustrate follicular degeneration in ovary, vacuolation and mild disorganization of uterus on treatment with graded doses of alcohol seed extract of Caesalpinia bonducella . There was a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in duration of estrous cycle and mean ovarian weight. However, there were no uniform variations in mean uterine weight, serum estradiol and progesterone level. The results suggest that alcohol seed extract of C. bonducella has antiestrogenic property, possibly acting via inhibition of estrogen secretion.