Biochemical, histological, and neuro-physiological effects of long-term aluminum chloride exposure in rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of daily sublethal doses of aluminum (Al) on hematological, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral changes in male albino Wistar rats. In addition, Al tissue accumulation and histopathological changes in the cerebral cortex, liver, and kidney were examined. The rats were randomly separated into three groups. Group 1 included rats who received the median deadly dose (LD₅₀) of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), group 2 served as the control, and group 3 was treated with a non-lethal dose of AlCl₃ (1.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 45 days. At defined time intervals, hepatic and renal specific enzymes and biochemical activity were measured. In addition, we examined Al accumulation, the condition of the liver via histological methods, and the impact on the cerebral cortex. In comparison to the controls, rats treated with AlCl₃ exhibited a rise in AST, ALT, and ALP enzyme activity. We also saw a significant decrease in body weight and a decrease in total protein, lipids, cholesterol, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), RBCs, and Hb levels compared to the control group. Histopathological examination suggested severe changes in the liver, kidney, and cerebral cortex of the rats. The current study indicates that sublethal daily exposure to AlCl₃ causes hazardous effects, as increased Al concentration in the body is shown to induce detrimental biochemical and histological changes as well as decreased body weight. Therefore, careful attention should be given to treatments requiring long exposure in patients and the potential for accumulation via food and drinking.

Neurological alterations induced by formulated imidacloprid toxicity in Japanese quails

Agrochemical risk assessment that takes into account only pesticide active ingredients without the spray adjuvants will miss important toxicity outcomes detrimental to non-target species including birds. In the present study toxicity of imidacloprid (IMI) pesticide was evaluated individually and in a mixture with polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) as adjuvant against Japanese quails. Oral intubation was used to obtain concentration-mortality data. Oral intubation was used to obtain concentration-mortality data. Treatments of quails for 24 h with different doses leading to the calculation of LC₅₀ values. PEG enhances the pesticide efficacy and the LD₅₀ value of IMI was 17.02 mg/Kg¹, and in combination with PEG it was 15.98 mg/kg^-1. In the second phase of the study, the effects of a single acute dose of IMI (1/4 LD₅₀) individually or in a mixture with PEG has a potent effect on the activity of plasma AChE and brain monoamines transmitters. However, the addition of PEG-adjuvant to the selected insecticide has shown more toxic potential, more highly significant decreases in AChE activity and different changes in cortical monoamines concentration. In the present study the maximum significant inhibition of AChE activity, was recorded post 72 h exposure to IMI individually and 96 h in a mixture with PEG and exhibited -37.56% and -32.65% decreases, respectively. Moreover, the oral intubation of IMI individually or in a mixture with PEG caused a significant elevation in the quail cortical NE and 5-HT. The result also showed while the mixture of IMI + PEG induced the more potent effect in DA alterations, IMI individually was more effective in 5-HT changes. Our findings also indicated that PEG exposure induced remarkable changes in the studied monoamines level and the values were significant throughout the tested periods in DA. Moreover, the studied dose level was vigorously affected quail brain cerebral cortex histological structure. When administered individually or in a mixture with PEG, IMI disclosed neural congestion, neuronal degeneration, pyknosis and perivascular cuffing with glial cells.

The potent effects of ginseng root extract and memantine on cognitive dysfunction in male albino rats

The study determined the maximum intraperitoneal (ip) scopolamine dose inducing memory impairment in rats (2 mg/kg) compared to 0.5 or 1 mg/kg dose. The effect reflected by significant increase from normal in the latency time required for rats to find the hidden platform in water maze task and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in cortex, hippocampus and striatum. The dose-related histopathological effect via the hemorrhage, vacuolation and gliosis in cortex and hippocampus is assessed. Then the study investigated the potency of Panax ginseng root extract on scopolamine cognitive dysfunction rat model compared to memantine hydrochloride as reference Food and Drug Administration approved. Ginseng extract was administered at dose 100 or 200 mg/kg/day and memantine at 20 mg/kg/day orally for 2 weeks. All treatments showed improvement in the water maze task, however, ginseng (200 mg/kg) group acquired the advantage without statistical difference control. Scopolamine (2 mg/kg ip) group showed significant increase in AChE reactivity and glutamate level and reduced monoamines (norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin) and γ-aminobutyric acid contents in cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Ginseng extract in a dose-dependent manner appears effective as memantine and can improve memory impairment through the retrieved homeostasis via neurotransmitter levels and AChE activities in rat brain areas with partial effect on the histological feature of the brain tissue.

Zinc sulphate and vitamin E alleviate reproductive toxicity caused by aluminium sulphate in male albino rats

This study was designed to investigate the reproductive toxicity of aluminium sulphate and the therapeutic effects of administration of zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination against the toxic effect caused by aluminium (Al) in male albino rats. The animals were divided into five groups: group 1 received distilled water and served as control; group 2 received only aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)); group 3 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) plus zinc sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.); group 4 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) and vitamin E (15 mg/kg b.w.); group 5 received aluminium sulphate plus a combination of zinc sulphate and vitamin E in similar doses as above. Doses were administered orally once daily for 45 consecutive days. The results revealed that aluminium sulphate induced significant decrease in body weight gain and testis weight and significant increase in Al level in both serum and testes of male rats. Biochemical analysis showed significant decrease in serum total protein and phospholipids levels, while serum total lipid was significantly elevated post Al treatment. In addition, significant decrease in total protein, phospholipids and cholesterol levels in the testes of Al-treated rats was recorded. The data also showed significant decrease in the levels of serum testosterone, leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and significant increase in the level of serum prolactin in Al-intoxicated rats. Moreover, histological examination showed that aluminium sulphate caused apparent alterations in the testicular structure of the treated animals. Treatment with zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination ameliorated the harmful effects of Al, which was proved histopathologically by the noticeable improvement in the testicular tissues. We can conclude that the tested dose of aluminium sulphate induced toxic effect on the reproductive system of male albino rats and the treatment with zinc sulphate and/or vitamin E alleviated these toxic effects. In some cases, vitamin E exerted a more potent effect, while in other cases, the more potent effect is related to zinc sulphate and the combination of both at most of the recorded data.

Identification of a genetic marker associated with the resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infection using random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis

In schistosomiasis, the host/parasite interaction remains not completely understood. Many questions related to the susceptibility of snails to infection by respective trematode still remain unanswered. The control of schistosomiasis requires a good understanding of the host/parasite association. In this work, the susceptibility/resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infection within Biomphalaria alexandrina snails were studied starting one month post infection and continuing thereafter weekly up to 10 weeks after miracidia exposure. Genetic variations between susceptible and resistant strains to Schistosoma infection within B. alexandrina snails using random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis technique were also carried out. The results showed that 39.8% of the examined field snails were resistant, while 60.2% of these snails showed high infection rates.In the resistant genotype snails, OPA-02 primer produced a major low molecular weight marker 430 bp. Among the two snail strains there were interpopulational variations, while the individual specimens from the same snail strain, either susceptible or resistant, record semi-identical genetic bands. Also, the resistant character was ascendant in contrast to a decline in the susceptibility of snails from one generation to the next.

Biological and biochemical studies on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, treated with low concentrations of certain molluscicides (synthetic and of plant origin)

The effect of low concentrations of different synthetic and natural mollusciciding agents may introduce to fresh water environment on reproduction and biochemical aspects of Biomphalaria alexandrina was studied. Different mollusciciding agents (copper sulphate, Bayluscide, Uccmaluscide, Agave filifera & A. attenuate) inhibited egg production, induced marked increased the percent of abnormal laid eggs and induced marked reduction in their hatchability. The maximal reductions in egg hatchability resulted with Bayluscide (0.0%) and Uccmaluscide (18%), A. filifera (21%) and A. attenuata (15%). All the antimolluscal materials caused a successful killing effect against miracidia and cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. CuSo4, Bayluscide and Uccmaluscide killed 40% of the exposed miracidia and 50% of cercariae after an hour exposure. The plants sublethal concentration killed 100% of cercariae and miracidia after 6 hours exposure. Water leaving behaviour among the exposed snails was noticed especially during the first three weeks, showing maximal percentage (60%) after one week of exposure to Bayluscide. A general decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) especially with Bayluscide (48.4%) and in acetylcholine esterase activity in the haemolymph especially on applying plant molluscicide A. filifera (50.8%) was noticed. Transaminases showed marked elevations in activities during the 1st three weeks, then began to drop (ASAT: 61.5%, with Bayluscide & ALAT: 50.8% with Uccmaluscide). The results reflect the effect of the metabolic disorders on life, egg laying, egg hatchability, hepatic cells damages, lack of smooth transmission at nerve junction, loss of muscular coordination and convulsions, then snails' death.

New possible molluscicides from Calendula micrantha officinalis and Ammi majus. II. Molluscicidal, physiological, and egg-laying effects against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus

In the present study, the effects of CuSo4 and crude extracts of the different parts of Calendula micrantha officinalis and Ammi majus, i. e., leaves, stems, roots, and flowers, on adult Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus were investigated. Generally, leaves and flowers of both plants exhibited marked potency in killing the snail vectors of schistosomiasis. The recorded LC50 and LC90 values showed that C. officinalis was more toxic to both snails than A. majus, and B. truncatus are more sensitive to the extracts of both plants than B. alexandrina. Snails that are produced from snails previously exposed to low doses were more sensitive to the tested extracts, which may give primary indication of no possibility of inherited resistance. Moreover, prolonged exposure to the sublethal concentrations of A. majus have a definite lethal effect on the egg laying and longevity of both snails. Also, treatment with sublethal doses of both plants clearly inhibited the transaminase activity (ALAT, ASAT), diminished the total protein content, and increased markedly total lipid contents in the hemolymph of both snails.

The alterations of rat brain GABA and glutamine induced by the organophosphorus compound cyolane

Levels of the amino acids GABA and glutamine were determined in the whole brain of the white albino rat Rattus norvegicus after daily injection of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/100 LD50 of cyolane. With 1/2 LD50 an increase in the level of both GABA and glutamine in the brain was recorded. Dose levels of 1/4 and 1/8 LD50 caused an increase in the level of GABA and a decrease in glutamine concentration followed by an increase from the 7th and 11th days for 1/4 and 1/8 LD50, respectively. The induced increase in GABA level started from the 2nd week for 1/16 and 1/32 LD50 and from the 3rd week for 1/100 LD50. Dose levels of 1/16, 1/32 and 1/100 LD50 caused a fluctuating increase in glutamine concentration starting from the 2nd, 3rd and 6th weeks, respectively, which was followed by a fluctuating decrease at the 9th week for 1/32 and 1/100 LD50. These findings support previous findings that the enhanced transformation of glutamic acid to GABA and glutamine is a result of a disturbance in the metabolism of the glutamic acid-GABA and the glutamic acid-glutamine systems in the rat brain.

Effect of dieldrin injection on the level of certain amino acids and some enzymes in rat brain

The present investigation revealed the effect of the organochlorine insecticide dieldrin at the dose level 0.25 LD50 at different time intervals on the concentration of 11 rat brain amino acids, on the activities of glutamic oxyacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GpT) and cholinesterase. The study was also extended to include the total protein content during the tested periods. The daily injection of dieldrin caused a marked decrease in the levels of glutamic acid, glutamine and taurine and an increase in the levels of aspartic acid, asparagine, GABA, glycine, lysine, serine, alanine and histidine. However, the maximal increase and decrease were recorded for most of the tested amino acids at the end of the tested period. The activity of the transaminases increased significantly. The recorded values of GOT were usually higher than GPT. Cholinesterase activity was inhibited thoroughly during all the experimental periods. Total protein content was decreased in the experiment; the minimal value was given 3 days after the injection.