Neuromodulatory effect of cinnamon oil on behavioural disturbance, CYP1A1, iNOStranscripts and neurochemical alterations induced by deltamethrin in rat brain

Impact of long-term deltamethrin exposure on Alzheimer's-related neurodegeneration in rats

In recent years, epidemiological studies have emerged indicating a potential association between chronic exposure to pesticides and the development of chronic neurodegenerative nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of long-term nonfatal exposure to Deltamethrin in spreading this disease. To this end, a range of aspects of brain damage were discussed in rats administered deltamethrin in oral doses of 0.65 mg/kg b.w. and 1.3 mg/kg b.w. for 30 days. The activation of beta-amyloid, the primary component of plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, and the NG2, a type 1 transmembrane protein, was assessed by immunohistochemistry and western blot methods in rat brain. In addition, the expression level of the APP, GFAP, NfL, TNF-alpha, CXCL9, CCL5, and IL-1 alpha genes in deltamethrin-exposed brain tissue was measured using qRT-PCR. In addition, levels of pTau181 and Abeta42 were measured with ELISA. A strong positive immunohistochemical reaction for beta-amyloid was detected in the deltamethrin-exposed brain tissues. A decrease in NG2 immunofluorescence positivity was found in the application groups compared to the control group. It was demonstrated that deltamethrin exposure significantly up-regulated the expressions of APP, GFAP, NfL, TNF-alpha, CXCL9, CCL5, and IL-1 alpha genes, also significantly higher the levels of pTau181 and Abeta42 (pg/ml) in rat brain tissues. This study provides scientific evidence that exposure to chronic doses of deltamethrin may play a positive role in the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's. Future studies should investigate similar projects and expand knowledge on the topic.

The relationship between deltamethrin-induced behavioral changes and acetylcholinesterase activity in zebrafish embryos or larvae based on transcriptome

Background

Deltamethrin (DM) is a broad-spectrum insecticide that is widely used to control agricultural pests. Recently, DM has posed a potential threat to the health of infants and young children, and this is because of the environmental and food pollution that is caused by the extensive use of DM.

Methods

In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were used as experimental animals to quantify the behavioral changes of larvae induced by DM and explore the relationship between DM and acetylcholinesterase activity.

Results

The results showed that DM caused an increase in coiling movement, heart rate, and apoptosis in the brain in early zebrafish embryos or larvae. It also caused a decrease in the expression of acetylcholinesterase-associated genes and the activity of acetylcholinesterase, which also led to an increase in the acetylcholinesterase content. The transcriptome data also showed that low concentration DM induced acetylcholine-related gene signaling pathways. The above results suggest that low doses of DM may induce neurodegeneration because DM exposure inhibits acetylcholinesterase, leading to brain cell apoptosis and behavioral changes in the zebrafish embryos or larvae. Micro-injection of zebrafish embryos at the 2-4 cell stage knocked down or overexpressed the acetylcholinesterase gene showed that the behavior and enzyme activity of zebrafish had some effects.

Conclusion

This study explored the relationship between acetylcholinesterase and the change in zebrafish behavior caused by DM exposure to provide a basis for the treatment of DM poisoning in the aquaculture.

Assessment of a new protocol strategy to control the ectoparasitic infestation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using efficient natural products

This study aimed to evaluate alternative in vivo treatment trials using natural products for ectoparasitic infestation on Nile tilapia; these two products were not previously used in the treatment of parasitic fish diseases. So, a total of 400 Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) fish measured 10-15 cm in length; 350 from a fish farm in (Kafr Elsheikh and 50 from Nile River (Al Bahr Al Aazam), Egypt. The examined fishes were 10-15 ± 0.5 cm long and weighed from 45 g ± 5. The collected fish were examined for different clinical abnormalities. Each part of the fish underwent a careful microscopic examination of mucous surrounding the skin; gills and fins. Two feed supplements were used experimentally to decrease mortality and treat fish against ectoparasites (Herb-All PARA-X® and Herb-All CALM®). Total mRNA was extracted from the gills of different examined groups. Glucose; nitric oxide; cortisol as well as lysozyme activity were assessed in all groups. The gills of the examined fish were collected for histopathological examination. Only, Dactyolgyrus sp. was recovered. The intensity of the parasite was counted per microscopic field. The treated groups showed low levels of the parameters compared to the control positive group. Up-regulation of both Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) and heat shock protein 70 (hsp-70) were detected in fins, gills, and skin in the infested tilapia. The treatment and prophylaxis significantly downregulated both genes in the studied organ in a dose-dependent manner. Recorded lesions which were scored according to their severity. In conclusion; following the use of those products, fish health has been greatly improved and that is indicated by findings of immune reactions as well as histopathology.

Residual levels of dietary deltamethrin interfere with growth and intestinal health in Litopenaeus vannamei

To date, few study explored the damage of chronic dietary exposure to the lipophilic pesticide deltamethrin (DM) in aquatic animals, and it remains unclear whether its toxicity and residue levels would be affected by dietary lipid levels. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the interactions between dietary lipid levels and DM levels in the Pacific white shrimp, focusing on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota. DM has excellent insecticidal activity and has been used worldwide. Previous research has shown that environmental DM poses toxicity risks to aquatic animals. Six different diets were formulated to feed shrimp for 6 weeks with two lipid levels (6.96 %, 10.88 %) and three DM levels (0.2 mg·kg-1, 1 mg·kg-1, 5 mg·kg-1), namely LF0.2, LF1, LF5, HF0.2, HF1, HF5, respectively. Each diet was assigned to three net cages with a total of 18 cages (40 shrimp per tank, average weight (0.382±0.001 g), of which 0.2 mg·kg-1, are grouped in environmental DM control groups. The growth of shrimp was reduced as the dietary DM levels increased. When shrimp were fed a diet containing a high dose of DM, a reduction in their antioxidant capacity was also observed. Enzyme activity and gene expression related to lipid metabolism in hepatopancreas and hemolymph indicated a significant interaction between dietary lipid levels and DM in the lipid metabolism of shrimp. The terms of detoxification-related genes (gst, sult, cyp1a1) were upregulated in shrimp fed the high-dose DM. Additionally, the presence of DM in the diet severely harmed the hepatopancreas and intestinal histological morphology. DM in the diet increased the susceptibility of shrimp to pathogens and induced intestine microbiota dysbiosis, disrupting the balance of inter-species interactions. DM was not detected in the muscle and hepatopancreas of the shrimp after six weeks of exposure. In conclusion, the presence of DM in feed reduced the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of shrimp, damaging intestinal health. DM was rapidly metabolized by shrimp.

A medicine and food homology formula prevents cognitive deficits by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress via activating AEA-Trpv1-Nrf2 pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder frequently accompanied by neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The medicine and food homology (MFH) has shown potential for treating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to provide a safe and efficient therapy for AD based on MFH. In this study, we develop a MFH formula consisting of egg yolk oil, perilla seed oil, raphani seed oil, cinnamon oil, and noni puree (EPRCN). To evaluate the ameliorative effects of EPRCN on AD-related symptoms, a mouse model of AD was constructed using intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine in ICR mice. Experimental results demonstrated that EPRCN supplement restored behavioral deficits and suppressed neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of scopolamine-induced mice. An in vitro study was then performed using induction of Aβ(25-35) in glial (BV-2 and SW-1783) and neuron (SH-SY5Y) cell lines to examine the improvement mechanism of EPRCN on cognitive deficits. Multi-omics and in vitro studies demonstrated that these changes were driven by the anandamide (AEA)-Trpv1-Nrf2 pathway, which was inhibited by AM404 (an AEA inhibitor), AMG9810 (a Trpv1 inhibitor), and BT (an Nrf2 inhibitor). Consequently, EPRCN is an effective therapy on preventing cognitive deficits in mouse models of AD. In contrast to donepezil, EPRCN exhibits a novel modes action for ameliorating neuroinflammation. The mechanism of EPRCN on preventing cognitive deficits is mediated by improving neuroinflammation and oxidative stress via activating the AEA-Trpv1-Nrf2 pathway.

Exosomal therapy mitigates silver nanoparticles-induced neurotoxicity in rats

INTRODUCTION

Our investigation aims to appraise the neuroprotective impact of Bone Marrow-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM-MSCs) derived exosomes against Ag NPs-inducing neurotoxicity in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Group I (control negative), Group II (intraperitoneally injected with Ag NPs for 28 days, whereas Group III (intraperitoneally injected with Ag NP and BM-MSCs derived exosomes.

RESULTS

There was a marked elevation of Malondialdehyde (MDA) along with a reduction of brain antioxidants, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) in the Ag NPs receiving group. Ag NPs upregulated c-Jun N-terminal Kinases (JNK) genes and c-Myc and downregulated the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) and Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) genes. Otherwise, the co-treatment of BM-MSCs derived exosomes with Ag NPs could markedly increase the rat's body weight, activity and learning while, decreasing anxiety, restoring all the toxicological parameters and improving the microscopic appearance of different brain areas.

CONCLUSION

BM-MSCs-derived exosomes downregulated both apoptotic and inflammatory mediators and upregulated the antiapoptotic genes. BM-MSCs-derived exosomes exhibit a great therapeutic effect against the neurotoxic effects of Ag NPs.

Role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in reducing neurotoxicity and depression-like behaviors induced by doxorubicin in rats

Background

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a broad-spectrum antitumor drug while its use is limited nowadays due to its neurobiological side effects associated with depression. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) derived exosomes are a promising regenerative therapy. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potentiality of BM-MSCs derived exosomes against the neurotoxicity induced by DOX.

Methods

Twenty-four male albino rats were divided equally in to three groups as follow: group 1 (control), group 2 (rats injected intraperitoneally (i.p|) with DOX at a dose 2.5mg/Kg), and group 3 (rats injected with DOX and BM-MSCs derived exosomes i.p at a dose 1.5ml/Kg). During the experiment the behavior tests were noted, after three weeks rats were sacrificed, serum and brain samples were collected for biochemical, molecular and histopathological examinations.

Results

The results revealed that DOX causing impairment of the locomotor and increasing the anxiety like behavior of rats, marked neuropathological changes, significant elevation of MDA content and TNF-α concentration, reduction of phospholipase (PLD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) protein concentration in addition, there were up regulation of JNK, NF-κB and p38 genes and down regulation of Erk1.

Conclusion

Exosomal therapy improved the substantial neurotoxicity of DOX through modulating the markers involved in the neurotoxic signalling pathway of DOX that resulting in improving the pathological lesions and the animal behaviours.

Is aromatic plants environmental health engineering (APEHE) a leverage point of the earth system?

It is important to note that every ecological niche in an ecosystem is significant. This study aims to assess the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the ecosystem from multiple perspectives. A primary model of Aromatic Plants Environmental Health Engineering (APEHE) has been designed and constructed. The APEHE system was used to collect aerosol compounds, and it was experimentally verified that these compounds have the potential to impact human health by binding to AKT1 as the primary target, and MMP9 and TLR4 as secondary targets. These compounds may indirectly affect human immunity by reversing drug resistance in drug-resistant bacteria in the nasal cavity. This is mainly achieved through combined mutations in sdhA, scrA, and PEP. Our findings are based on Network pharmacology and molecular binding, drug-resistance rescue experiments, as well as combined transcriptomics and metabolomics experiments. It is suggested that APEHE may have direct or indirect effects on human health. We demonstrate APEHE's numerous potential benefits, such as attenuation and elimination of airborne microorganisms in the environment, enhancing carbon and nitrogen storage in terrestrial ecosystems, promoting the formation of low-level clouds and strengthening the virtuous cycle of Earth's ecosystems. APEHE also supports the development of transdisciplinary technologies, including terpene energy production. It facilitates the creation of a sustainable circular economy and provides additional economic advantages through urban optimisation, as well as fresh insights into areas such as the habitability of other planets. APEHE has the potential to serve as a leverage point for the Earth system. We have created a new research direction.

The effects of TiO2, ZnO, IONs and Al2O3 metallic nanoparticles on the CYP1A1 and NBN transcripts in rat liver

Introduction

Metal oxide nanoparticles are currently used widely in many aspects of human and animal life with broad prospects for biomedical purposes. The present work was carried out to investigate the effects of orally administrated TiO2NPs, ZnONPs, IONs and Al2O3NPs on the mRNA expression level of CYP 1A1 and NBN in the rat liver.

Materials and Methods

Four groups of male Albino rats were given their respective treatment orally for 60 days in a dose of 1/20 of the LD50 TiO2NPs (600 mg/Kg b.wt/day), ZnONPs (340 mg/Kg b.wt/day), IONs (200 mg/kg b.wt/day) and Al2O3NPs (100 mg/Kg b.wt/day) and a fifth group served as a control group.

Rresults

The mRNA level of CYP 1A1 and NBN showed up-regulation in all the NPs-treated groups relative to the control group. ZnONPs group recorded the highest expression level while the TiO2NPs group showed the lowest expression level transcript. Conclusion:The toxic effects produced by these nanoparticles were more pronounced in the case of zinc oxide, followed by aluminum oxide, iron oxide nanoparticles and titanium dioxide, respectively.

Deciphering the interplay between LPS/TLR4 pathways, neurotransmitter, and deltamethrin-induced depressive-like behavior: Perspectives from the gut-brain axis

The improper use of deltamethrin (DM) can result in its accumulation in soil, water, food, and even the human body, which is associated with an elevated risk of neurotoxicity and behavioral abnormalities; however, the underlying mechanisms remain insufficiently investigated. Emerging evidence underscores the significance of the gut-brain axis in central nervous system (CNS) dysfunctions. Accordingly, this study investigates the role of the gut-brain axis in DM-induced behavioral anomalies in mice. The results showed that DM exposure induced depressive-like behavior, and the hippocampus, the region that is responsible for the modulation of emotional behavior, showed structural integrity disrupted (neuronal nuclear shrinkage and decreased tight junction protein expression). In addition, DM exposure led to compromised gut barrier integrity (disruptions on crypt surfaces and decreased tight junction protein expression), which might contribute to the gut bacterial-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leakage into the bloodstream and reaching the brain, triggering LPS/toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 -mediated increases in brain pro-inflammatory cytokines. Subsequently, we observed a disturbance in neurotransmitter metabolic pathways following DM exposure, which inhibited the production of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Additionally, DM exposure resulted in gut microbiota dysbiosis. Characteristic bacteria, such as Alistipes, Bifidobacterium, Gram-negative bacterium cTPY-13, and Odoribacter exhibited significant correlations with behavior, tight junction proteins, inflammatory response, and neurotransmitters. Further fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments suggested that DM-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis might contribute to depressive-like behavior. These results provide a new perspective on the toxicity mechanism of DM, indicating that its neurotoxicity may be partially regulated by the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Hesperidin Attenuates Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats by Regulating Nrf-2/TNF-α Signaling Pathway, the Suppression of Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation

Background: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are widely utilized and consumed mainly as food additives. Oxidative stress is considered to be the basic effect of TiO2NPs through biological interactions. Hesperidin (HSP) is a bioflavonoid (flavanone glycoside) with lipid-lowering, inflammation, oxidative stress suppression, antihypertensive, cancer-fighting, and antiedema effects. Objective: This study was to investigate the possible protective influences of HSP of subchronic oral TiO2NP exposure on the brains of rats, including neurotransmitters, oxidative stress/antioxidant parameters, inflammatory markers, and histological changes in the brains of adult male albino rats. Methodology: The experiment was executed on 80 albino rats. The animals were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. The first group served as a control; the second group was treated with oral doses of HSP (100 mg/kg Bw daily); the third group received TiO2NPs (200 mg/kg Bw orally daily); and the fourth group was treated with TiO2NPs and an oral dose of HSP daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained for biochemical analysis. Neurotransmitters, oxidative stress biomarker levels, and inflammatory markers were measured in brain homogenates. Histological examination of the brain was performed through H&E staining. Results: Coadministration of hesperidin with TiO2NPs orally for 8 weeks decreased the levels of MDA, TNF-α, AChE, and dopamine in brain homogenates, which were increased in the TiO2NP group. It increased the other oxidative biomarkers (SOD, CAT, and GPx) and Nrf-2 expression levels. Brain histological sections of the TiO2NP-treated group show degeneration, necrosis, congestion, and inflammatory cell infiltration that decreased markedly in the coadministration of hesperidin with the TiO2NP group. Conclusion: Hesperidin cotreatment offers significant protection against TiO2NP-induced oxidative stress and biochemical and histological alteration in the brain.

Electric foot-shock induces neurobehavioral aberrations due to imbalance in oxidative status, stress hormone, neurochemical profile, and irregular cortical-beta wave pattern in rats: A validated animal model of anxiety

Neuropsychiatric disorders can be modeled on animals to investigate the neural mechanism underlying these disorders. Models of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, basically aim to produce the signs and symptoms of human anxiety disorders in laboratory animals. Electric foot-shock is recommended to induce anxiety-like symptoms in rodents. For this purpose, however, a range of current intensities is available in the literature. The present study aims to modify the existing practices of generating anxiety-like symptoms through electric foot-shock by identifying an optimum current intensity and combing it with behavioral paradigms to produce a rat model of anxiety. Furthermore, the validity of the model was confirmed by checking the fulfillment of three validity criteria necessary for the development of any disease model including face validity, construct validity, and predictive validity. In the current study, after pre-testing, 1.0 mA electric intensity was selected to produce the model of anxiety. The results showed that the induction of 1.0 mA electric foot-shock induces abnormal behavioral effects which were similar to anxiety-like effects as evident by social interaction test, light-dark transition test, and open field test. Moreover, aberrations in the levels of the stress hormone, oxidative stress parameters, hippocampal neurotransmitter levels, and cortical-EEG wave pattern were also observed in the rat model of anxiety which were successfully overcome using diazepam. In conclusion, the outcome of our study suggests that electric foot-shock can be an adequate stressor to produce a validated animal model of anxiety and this model can be confidently used to identify and screen new and/or novel anxiolytics.

Neuroprotective role of medicinal plant extracts evaluated in a scopolamine-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease is a debilitating neurological brain disease with memory impairment among the first signs. Scopolamine (SCO), a muscarinic receptor antagonist that disrupts cognition and memory acquisition, is considered a psychopharmacological AD model. We investigate the effectiveness of medicinal plants in mitigating the SCO-induced neurobehavioural damage in rats.Materials and MethodsAnimals were injected with Scopolamine hydrobromide trihydrate (2.2 mg/kg IP.) daily for 2 months. Each treatment group was administered one of four medicinal spice extracts (Nigella sativa, 400 mg/kg; rosemary, 200 mg/kg; sage, 600 mg/kg and ginseng;200 mg/kg 90 minutes after SCO injection. Animals were subjected to cognitive-behavioral tests (NOR, Y-maze, and MWM). After the experiment, we extracted the brains for histopathological examination and biochemical assessment for oxidative stress (levels of TT, CAT and TBARS) and gene expression of acetylcholinesterase and brain monoamines.ResultsAs expected, SCO treatment impaired memory and cognition, increased oxidative stress, decreased neurotransmitters, and caused severe neurodegenerative changes in the brain.ConclusionSurprisingly, these effects were measurably moderated by the administration of all four plant extracts, indicating a neuroprotective action that we suggest could alleviate AD disease manifestations.

Deltamethrin induces apoptosis in cerebrum neurons of quail via promoting endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

Deltamethrin (DLM) is a widely used and highly effective insecticide. DLM exposure is harmful to animal and human. Quail, as a bird model, has been widely used in the field of toxicology. However, there is little information available in the literature about quail cerebrum damage caused by DLM. Here, we investigated the effect of DLM on quail cerebrum neurons. Four groups of healthy quails were assigned (10 quails in each group), respectively given 0, 15, 30, and 45 mg/kg DLM by gavage for 12 weeks. Through the measurements of quail cerebrum, it was found that DLM exposure induced obvious histological changes, oxidative stress, and neurons apoptosis. To further explore the possible molecular mechanisms, we performed real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related mRNA such as glucose regulated protein 78 kD, activating transcription factor 6, inositol requiring enzyme, and protein kinase RNA (PKR)-like ER kinase. In addition, we detected ATP content in quail cerebrum to evaluate the functional status of mitochondria. The study showed that DLM exposure significantly increased the expression of ER stress-related mRNA and decreased ATP content in quail cerebrum tissues. These results suggest that chronic exposure to DLM induces apoptosis of quail cerebrum neurons via promoting ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, our results provide a novel explanation for DLM-induced apoptosis of avian cerebrum neurons.

Sub-chronic and developmental toxicity of transdermal delivery of Renzhu ointment in young SD rats

Purpose: Renzhu ointment (Renzhuqigao, RZQG) is a patented herbal drug derived from Chinese traditional medicine formula and modern clinical experience for the transdermal treatment of non-infectious infantile diarrhoea. The safety of RZQG in preclinical studies has not been reported.Materials and methods: In this study, the pups of parent rats were examined for sub-chronic toxicity and developmental toxicity. After 21 days of birth, they were exposed to RZQG through their abdominal skin at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.9 g/kg/day for 4 weeks and then were observed for another four weeks during their recovery period.Results: During the administration period, RZQG had no significant toxicological effect on body weight, food consumption, external eye examination, urinalysis, bone marrow examination, histopathology, central nervous system, reproductive system, or skeletal development. However, in the 0.9 g/kg/day group, the skin of some rats became dry and cracked, red and swollen, forming a white scab, while the white blood cells (WBC) count in female rats was lower and cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TG), and glutamyl-transferase (GGT) were higher (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Rats receiving 0.9 g/kg/day exhibited skin irritation and were suspected to have a mild liver injury. There was no evidence of delayed toxicity four weeks after withdrawal. Therefore, the no-observed adverse effect level of RZQG was 0.3 g/kg/day (30 times the clinical dose planned and 4.92 times the human equivalent dose).

New evidence for neurobehavioral toxicity of deltamethrin at environmentally relevant levels in zebrafish

Deltamethrin, a widely used type II pyrethroid insecticide, was reported with neurotoxicity to aquatic organisms, such as fish. However, the effects and potential mechanisms on the central nervous system remain largely unknown, especially under environmental concentrations. Therefore, we exposed adult female zebrafish to environmentally relevant levels of deltamethrin (30, 100, and 333 ng/L) for 21 days to assess neurobehavioral changes related to the central nervous system and explore the modes of action. Behavioral assays revealed significant increases in the swimming speeds, residence time near other fish and the shoaling cohesion in exposed fish. Transcriptomic results enriched the disrupted neural functions involving the glutamatergic and dopaminergic synapses in the brain. The qRT-PCR confirmed the upregulation of the factors for promoting the glutamate release. The measurement of neurotransmitters showed significantly increased content of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. Taken together, deltamethrin exposure increased the glutamate level and promoted the release of such an excitatory neurotransmitter between the glutamatergic synapses in the brain, which eventually led to hyperactivity of social behaviors in adult zebrafish.

Toxicological effects of deltamethrin on quail cerebrum: Weakened antioxidant defense and enhanced apoptosis

Deltamethrin is the most common type II synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, and has posed widespread residues to environment. However, whether deltamethrin has potential toxic effects on quail cerebrum remains greatly obscure. Accordingly, we investigated the impact of chronic exposure to deltamethrin on oxidative stress and apoptosis in quail cerebrum. Quails upon 12-week exposure of deltamethrin (0, 15, 30, or 45 mg/kg body weight intragastric administration) were used as a cerebrum injury model. The results showed that deltamethrin treatment led to cerebral injury dose-dependently through the weakened antioxidant defense by downregulating nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream proteins levels and mRNA expression. Furthermore, deltamethrin treatment induced apoptosis in cerebrum by decreasing B-cell lymphoma gene 2 (Bcl-2) level, as well as increasing Jun N-terminal kinase3, caspase-3, and Bcl-2-associated X protein levels. Simultaneously, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) downstream inflammation-related genes or proteins were significantly up-regulated by deltamethrin dose-dependently. Altogether, our study demonstrated that chronic exposure to deltamethrin induces inflammation and apoptosis in quail cerebrums by promoting oxidative stress linked to inhibition of the Nrf2/TLR4 signaling pathway. These results provide a novel knowledge on the chronic toxic effect of deltamethrin, and establish a theoretical foundation for the evaluation of pesticide-induced health risk.

Synergistic Anti-inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects of Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale Alleviate Diabetes-Induced Hippocampal Changes in Male Albino Rats: Structural and Molecular Evidence

Background: Depression has been reported as a common comorbidity in diabetes mellitus although the underlying mechanism responsible for this is not well known. Although both ginger and cinnamon has anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, their efficacy in inhibiting neuroinflammation, when simultaneously administrated, has not been investigated yet. Objectives: The study was designed to assess the synergistic effect of Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale on regulating blood glucose, improve hippocampal structural changes and depressive-like alternations in diabetic rats, and try to identify the mechanism behind this effect. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five equal groups (n = 6): the normal control, untreated streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic, cinnamon-treated diabetic [100 mg/kg of body weight (BW)/day for 6 weeks], ginger-treated diabetic (0.5 g/kg BW/day for 6 weeks), and ginger plus cinnamon-treated diabetic groups. Forced swim test and elevated plus maze behavioral tests were performed at the end of the experiment. HOMA-IR, HOMA β-cells, blood glucose, insulin, corticosterone, pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6), and total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed in the serum. BDNF mRNA level was assessed in hippocampus using qRT-PCR. Hippocampal histopathological changes were also assessed, and immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), caspase-3, and Ki-67 was measured. Results: Diabetes-induced depressive-like changes in the STZ group were biochemically confirmed by assessing serum corticosterone level, as well as behaviorally using FST and EPM tests. Diabetes also induced degenerative changes in the hippocampus. Treatment of diabetic rats with ginger, cinnamon, or the combination of these alleviated the degenerative structural changes and significantly up-regulated serum insulin, TAC, hippocampal BDNF mRNA, and hippocampal immunoexpression of ki67, while they significantly reduced serum blood glucose, IL-6, TNF-α, IL1β, as well as hippocampal immunoexpression of GFAP and Caspase-3 compared to the untreated diabetic group. Improvement induced by the combination of ginger and cinnamon was superior to the single administration of either of these. Conclusion: Cinnamomum cassia and Zingiber officinale have synergistic anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant-like, and neuroprotective effects. The use of a combination of these plants could be beneficial as alternative or complementary supplements in managing DM and decreasing its neuronal and psychiatric complications.

Bioaccessibility and Intestinal Transport of Deltamethrin in Pacific Oyster (Magallana Gigas) Using Simulated Digestion/NCM460 Cell Models

Deltamethrin (DEL) can be introduced into the food chain through bioaccumulation in Pacific oysters, and then potentially threaten human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the bioaccessibility of DEL in oysters with different cooking methods after simulated digestion. DEL content in different tissues of oysters going from high to low were gills, mantle, viscera, and adductor muscle. Bioaccessibility of DEL in oysters decreased after steaming (65%) or roasting (51%) treatments compared with raw oysters (82%), which indicated that roasting can be used as a recommended cooking method for oysters. In the simulated digestion process, the concentration of DEL in the digestive juice and the bioaccessibility of DEL were affected by the pH in the gastric phase. And the transport efficiency of DEL through the monolayer molecular membrane of NCM460 cells ranged from 35 to 45%. These results can help assess the potential harm to consumers of DEL in shellfish. Furthermore, it provides a reference for the impact of lipophilic toxins in seafood.

The Potential Role of Cinnamon in Human Health

Cinnamon is an unusual tropical plant belonging to the Lauraceae family. It has been used for hundreds of years as a flavor additive, but it has also been used in natural Eastern medicine. Cinnamon extracts are vital oils that contain biologically active compounds, such as cinnamon aldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties and is used to treat diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In folk medicine, cinnamon species have been used as medicine for respiratory and digestive disorders. Their potential for prophylactic and therapeutic use in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease has also been discovered. This review summarizes the available isolation methods and analytical techniques used to identify biologically active compounds present in cinnamon bark and leaves and the influence of these compounds in the treatment of disorders.

Insecticidal action of the botanical insecticide wilforine on Mythimna separata (Walker) related with the changes of ryanodine receptor expression

The detailed molecular mechanism of wilforine, a novel botanical insecticidal component, remains unclear, except for the knowledge that it affects the calcium signaling pathway. The aim of the current study was to examine the underlying molecular mechanism of wilforine in Mythimna separata (Walker) by transcriptome and RNA interference (RNAi), with chlorantraniliprole as control. RNA sequencing showed that the relative expression of genes related to the calcium signaling pathway and muscle contraction in M. separata treated with wilforine significantly changed and was further validated by qRT-PCR. Interestingly, the expression level of the ryanodine receptor (MsRyR) gene was downregulated by wilforine at relatively high concentrations and long treatment time, contrary to that observed using chlorantraniliprole. Furthermore, a putative MsRyR was cloned using a 16,258-bp contiguous sequence containing a 308-bp 5'-untranslated region and 578-bp 3'-untranslated region by RT-PCR and RACE. The results of the RNAi experiment showed that injection of dsMsRyR significantly reduced MsRyR mRNA levels, and growth and development were inhibited. Importantly, silencing of the MsRyR gene resulted in decreased susceptibility to both wilforine and chlorantraniliprole. Together with the results of our previous studies on toxic symptoms and muscle tissue lesions between wilforine and chlorantraniliprole, we propose that RyR Ca²⁺ release channel dysfunction is closely related with significant lethal mechanisms of wilforine.