The protective effects of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on cadmium-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on some antioxidant and cytokine levels in the rat hippocampus as well as synaptophysin (SYP) immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex of the cadmium (Cd) exposed rats. Thirty-two male albino Wistar rats were divided randomly into four equal groups as control (C; n = 8), Cd (n = 8), COS (n = 8), and Cd + COS (CdCOS; n = 8). The rats in the Cd and CdCOS groups received Cd chloride (CdCl₂) (2 mg/kg/d) orally by gastric gavage three times a week for 4 weeks. Besides, COS (200 mg/kg/d) was administered to COS and CdCOS groups five times a week for 4 weeks. Then, they were decapitated and hippocampal/cerebral cortex tissue samples were taken for measurement of GSH levels, CAT and SOD activities, MDA values, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels as well as SYP immunoreactivity. Although tissue GSH levels were determined the lowest in the Cd group, these values were attenuated with COS treatment in the CdCOS group (p < .01). In addition, TNF-α levels were alleviated by COS treatment in the CdCOS group when compared to Cd (p < .01). SYP-positive cells were investigated in the cerebral cortex and found mild in the CdCOS group. COS exhibits potential protective effects on Cd-induced neurotoxicity in rats.

Partial protective effects of melatonin on cadmium-induced changes in hematological characteristics in rats

We investigated the effects of melatonin (Mlt) on hematological characteristics to determine the percentage of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive lymphocytes in rats chronically exposed to cadmium (Cd). We used four groups of male rats: control (C), melatonin (Mlt), cadmium (Cd) and Cd + Mlt (CdMlt). Blood samples were obtained to assess the erythrocytes (RBC), leukocytes (WBC), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) as well as alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive lymphocytes. We found that the number of WBC increased in the Cd group compared to the other three experimental groups. Low MCV and MCHC values caused by Cd were ameliorated by Mlt treatment in the CdMlt group. We found no significant change in the RBC, HGB, MCH, PLT and HCT values among the experimental groups. Mlt treatment also increased the percentage of ANAE positive lymphocytes. Mlt partially protects some hematological characteristics in cases of chronic Cd toxicity.

SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN BLOOD PARAMETERS AMONG KYRGYZ ELITE JUDO ATHLETES

ABSTRACT Introduction: Evaluation of health status and physical condition of Kyrgyz Judo Athletes before the Olympic Games. Objective: To evaluate changes in hematological, biochemical and blood gas values of athletes during the training period. Methods: Eight elite athletes (n=8 men), participated to the study. Before and after the exercise periods (baseline, 3rd month and 6th month), blood samples were taken, to determine plasma red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), blood clot cell (PLT), granulocyte (NOTR) and agranulocyte (LNF) counts, hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) values, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and venous blood pH, PO2, PCO2, SAT O2, HCO3, BE, Na, K, Cl values. In addition, serum glucose (Glu), total protein (TP), total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, triglyceride (Trig), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Creat), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values were measured. Results: Although, the athletes’ WBC and LNF counts increased significantly (p<0.05) in post-exercise periods, no statistical significance (p>0.05) was found in the other hematological parameters. Blood pH, pCO2, HCO3 and BE values decreased (P<0.05) after the exercise periods. Conclusion: The effects of exercise on judo athletes were evaluated before the Olympics. Level of Evidence III; Case-control study.

First molecular survey of piroplasm species in cattle from Kyrgyzstan

Bovine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan hemoparasites of the genera Theileria and Babesia. This study was carried out to assess the presence and frequency of piroplasm parasites in apparently healthy cattle in Kyrgyzstan. A total of 454 blood samples were collected from animals of various ages in eight villages located in the Chu valley and around the Lake Issyk Kul. The hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers specific targeting members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products were hybridized onto a membrane to which generic and species-specific oligonucleotide probes were covalently linked. The results revealed the presence of three piroplasm species (Theileria orientalis, Babesia major, Theileria annulata). Theileria orientalis was the most prevalent species (32.8%; CI 28.5-37.3). Babesia major was the only species of Babesia found in any of the samples (1.3%; CI 0.5-2.8). The co-existence of Theileria annulata and T. orientalis was detected in nine animals (1.9%; CI 0.9-3.7). BLAST search revealed that the Theileria sequences shared 100% identity with the recently reported sequences for T. buffeli and T. annulata. The sequence of B. major was also 100% identical to an existing B. major sequence. This molecular survey provides important epidemiological data for control of bovine piroplasmosis caused by T. orientalis, B. major, and T. annulata in Kyrgyzstan.

Effects of aflatoxin on some haematological parameters and protective effectiveness of esterified glucomannan in Merino rams

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effects of aflatoxin on some hematological parameters and to determine the preventive effectiveness of added glucomannan. In the study, 32 Merino rams were used, and the rams were separated equally to four groups as control (C), glucomannan (G), glucomannan + aflatoxin (AG), and aflatoxin (A). Erythrocyte, leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were decreased in A group compared with the other groups, and there was a reduction in similar parameters in AG group compared to control values. On the other hand, these parameters were tended to increase in AG group compared to A group values. Aflatoxicosis caused the lymphocytopenia and monocytopenia but increased percentage of neutrophil counts. In conclusion, the results determined in the study might be important to demonstrate the effects of aflatoxicosis and glucomannan on some haematological parameters before the clinical symptoms appear.