Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a well-tolerated analgesic and antipyretic drug when used at therapeutic doses. Overdoses, however, cause oxidative stress, which leads to acute liver failure. Alpha ...lipoic acid is an antioxidant that has proven effective for ameliorating many pathological conditions caused by oxidative stress. We evaluated the effect of alpha lipoic acid on the histological and histochemical alterations of liver caused by an acute overdose of acetaminophen in rats. Livers of acetaminophen-intoxicated rats were congested and showed centrilobular necrosis, vacuolar degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration. Necrotic hepatocytes lost most of their carbohydrates, lipids and structural proteins. Liver sections from rats pre-treated with lipoic acid showed fewer pathological changes; the hepatocytes appeared moderately vacuolated with moderate staining of carbohydrates and proteins. Nevertheless, alpha lipoic acid at the dose we used did not protect the liver fully from acetaminophen-induced acute toxicity.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that adversely affects nervous tissues; it often occurs as an environmental pollutant. We investigated histological changes in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and ...cerebellum of adult albino mice following exposure to lead acetate. We also studied the possible ameliorative effect of the chelating agent, L-cysteine, on lead-induced neurotoxicity. We divided albino mice into six groups: 1) vehicle-only control, 2) L-cysteine control, 3 and 4) treated for 7 days with 20 and 40 mg/kg lead acetate, respectively, and 5 and 6) treated for 7 days with 20 and 40 mg/kg lead acetate, respectively, followed by 50 mg/kg L-cysteine for 7 days. Lead acetate administration caused disorganization of cell layers, neuronal loss and degeneration, and neuropil vacuolization. Brain sections from lead-intoxicated mice treated with L-cysteine showed fewer pathological changes; the neuropil showed less vacuolization and the neurons appeared less damaged. L-cysteine at the dose we used only marginally alleviated lead-induced toxicity.
► Forty-two bacteria were isolated from 20 nesting turtles with 22 ampicillin resistant strains. ► The isolates were screened for extended-spectrum β-lactamases and AmpC type β-lactamases C. ► Many ...were screen positive to β-lactamase. All were screen negative to metallo β-lactamase. ► β-lactamases gene sequencing showed the presence of cephamycinase (CMY) and AmpC β-lactamase. ► The presence of ampicillin resistant genes may be used in biomonitoring of ampicillin pollution.
During the egg-laying process, oviductal fluid was collected using a non-invasive procedure from the cloacal vent of the green turtles. Forty-two independent isolates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from 11 genera were obtained from 20 turtles during nesting. The dominant isolate was Citrobacter (52.4%), followed by Pseudomonas, Proteus, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Edwardsiella, Morganella, Providencia and Arcomobacter. Most of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Ampicillin-resistant isolates showed variations in their resistance for the following classes of β-lactamases: extended-spectrum β-lactamases (EBSLs), AmpC type β-lactamases C (AmpC), and screen-positive β-lactamase. None of the isolates produced metallo β-lactamase. Some ampicillin-resistant genes were detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) only. Inhibitor based test (IBT) categorized some isolates as AmpC β-lactamase producers. β-Lactamase genes were detected from a few strains. The sequencing of those genes revealed the presence of cephamycinase (CMY) and AmpC β-lactamases. The oviductal fluid was used in this study as a source of bacterial antibiotic-resistant determinants for biomonitoring marine turtles exposed to contaminated effluents. This data can be of value in understanding the decline of this endangered species as a result of exposure to marine pollution which is threatening their survival.
We evaluated the sterilizing effect of 3-monochloropropane-1, 2-diol (3-MCPD) in male Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). We used three groups. One was treated with 70 mg/kg 3-MCPD for ...4 days. The second group was treated with 3-MCPD as a bait formulation (known concentration of 3-MCPD mixed with a known amount of food). The third group was untreated controls. We compared the weights of the reproductive organs, histology of the testes, occurrence of spermatogenesis, and the count, motility and abnormalities of epididymal sperm of treated males with those of the untreated control group. 3-MCPD caused significantly decreased weights of reproductive organs, several testicular histological alterations and spermatogenic arrest accompanied by significant decreases in sperm count and motility, and significantly increased number of abnormal sperm. 3-MCPD bait was readily accepted by the animals. 3-MCPD, even in low doses and after limited exposure, disrupted spermatogenesis in males of the Egyptian fruit bat. Our findings have potential value for public health and agricultural authorities, and for vertebrate pest managers. 3-MCPD may have application for control of this pest.
Gentamicin is an antibiotic used worldwide for treating Gram-negative bacterial infections. Gentamicin causes nephrotoxicity in up to 25% of therapeutic cases owing to increased production of free ...radicals. Kiwifruit are nutrient-dense fruits that have proven effective for ameliorating many pathological conditions caused by oxidative stress. We investigated the possible prophylactic and therapeutic effects of kiwifruit on the changes in renal histology and histochemistry caused by gentamicin. Intramuscular injection of mice with gentamicin for 10 consecutive days was nephrotoxic as indicated by epithelial vacuolization, glomerular atrophy and tubular necrosis. Necrotic tubule cells lost most of their polysaccharides and structural proteins. Co-administration of kiwifruit with gentamicin prevented nephrotoxic changes to a modest degree. When administered subsequent to gentamicin intoxication, kiwifruit ameliorated significantly the histological and histochemical alterations caused by gentamicin. Our findings support the use of kiwifruit in cases of acute renal injury due to gentamicin.
Presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria as bio-indicators of pollution was monitored in fish (colons and gills) and in sewage treated effluent (STE) in two marine sites in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat. ...One site was polluted as the sewage effluent STE was directly discharged into the sea while the unpolluted site was 10
km away. A total of 42 water samples (250
mL each) were collected from both sites. In the polluted site, 14 samples were taken directly from the STE discharge point and 14 from the surrounding area near the STE discharging point (7–10
m). Water and fish samples were collected from polluted and unpolluted sites. Chlorine and nitrate levels were significantly higher in STE samples. A significant difference (
P
<
0.005) was found in total bacterial count of fish colon and gills in the two sites. Most probable number (MPN) was significantly higher in STE and polluted seawater over unpolluted. Coliforms were detected in the polluted site only. A total of 320 target enteric normal flora of animals and pathogenic species were isolated from 10 genera taken from water and fish samples. The isolates were exposed to 14 antibiotics. Most of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic with ampicillin was the dominant antibiotic. This is a clear indication that sewage effluent causes contamination of marine wildlife along coastal lines.
3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a well-known food contaminant. Although the kidney is thought to be a target organ for 3-MCPD toxicity, nephrotoxic structural changes are relatively ...unstudied. We investigated the renal alterations caused by 3-MCPD in male albino rats. 3-MCPD was administered orally, at a dose of 60 mg/kg for 7 days. 3-MCPD caused significant elevation of serum creatinine and urea levels together with hydropic degeneration, necrosis and shedding of the cells of the proximal convoluted tubules, urinary casts in the distal convoluted tubules and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Administration of 3-MCPD for a period as short as 7 days causes acute renal failure in male albino rats.
Because of the important role that oxidative stress is thought to play in the aging process, antioxidants could be candidates for preventing its related pathologies. We investigated the ameliorative ...effects of two antioxidant supplements, ginger and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), on hepatic ultrastructural alterations in old rats. Livers of young (4 months) and old (24 months) Wistar rats were studied using transmission electron microscopy. Livers of old rats showed sinusoidal collapse and congestion, endothelial thickening and defenestration, and inconsistent perisinusoidal extracellular matrix deposition. Aged hepatocytes were characterized by hypertrophy, cytoplasmic vacuolization and a significant increase in the volume densities of the nuclei, mitochondria and dense bodies. Lipofuscin accumulation and decreased microvilli in bile canaliculi and space of Disse also were observed. The adverse alterations were ameliorated significantly by both ginger and ALA supplementation; ALA was more effective than ginger. Ginger and ALA appear to be promising anti-aging agents based on their amelioration of ultrastructural alterations in livers of old rats.
Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) affects the brain, spinal cord, or other nerves and leads to neurological and psychiatric symptoms directly related to SLE. We report a series of ...four female patients with NPSLE as the first presentation for SLE. None of them were previously diagnosed with SLE. The first case involved a 50-year-old patient who presented with back pain and lower limb weakness for three weeks associated with numbness. A lumbar puncture was done, and CSF analysis showed high WBC and normal glucose levels with negative CSF cultures for bacteria. The patient was diagnosed with aseptic meningitis and treated with antibiotics and antiviral medication without improvement. So she was treated as a case of SLE aseptic meningitis with steroids. In the second case, a 20-year-old patient had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure with the acute manifestation of hypertensive urgency. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done and suggested posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). The third case was for a 38-year-old patient who complained of dizziness, general weakness, and convulsion. On review of the systems, the patients had positive symptoms of SLE. Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and double-stranded ds-DNA were positive. Computed tomography (CT) scans were done and showed a thymoma. The patient was diagnosed with SLE in association with focal seizures and thymoma. In the last case, a 44-year-old patient presented with tongue heaviness and right-side weakness. MRI revealed small acute lacunar infarction scattered at both cerebral hemispheres and the right side of the cerebellum, and chest CT showed pulmonary embolism (PE). The patient was diagnosed with an acute ischemic stroke and PE related to SLE. In conclusion, the neurological manifestations of SLE are a significant issue for both patients and clinicians. Here we report a unique case series and describe the prognosis and outcome of the treatment in these cases.
Interest in screening for new anti-schistosomal agents is growing because of increased concerns about resistance to and safety of praziquantel. We investigated the anti-schistosomal action of ...prophylactic and therapeutic doses of garlic on the histological and histochemical alterations caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection. Livers of infected mice were characterized by granulomas, periportal inflammation and fibrosis, hepatocyte vacuolation, fatty degeneration and necrosis, and hypertrophy and pigmentation of Kupffer cells. Significant depletion of carbohydrates and increased lipid vacuoles also were observed. All garlic regimens caused suppression of granuloma formation and amelioration of histological and histochemical changes; the continuous treatment protocol produced the best results. Garlic appears to be a safe and economical anti-schistosomal adjuvant for attenuating the pathogenicity of schistosomiasis.
