Investigation of the protective effect of chitosan against arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage in rat kidney tissue

Arsenic is an important metalloid that can cause poisoning in humans and domestic animals. Exposure to arsenic causes cell damage, increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Chitosan is a biopolymer obtained by deacetylation of chitin with antioxidant and metal ion chelating properties. In this study, the protective effect of chitosan on arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage was investigated. 32 male Wistar-albino rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each as control group (C), chitosan group (CS group), arsenic group (AS group), and arsenic+chitosan group (AS+CS group). The C group was given distilled water by oral gavage, the AS group was given 100 ppm/day Na-arsenite ad libitum with drinking water, the CS group was given 200 mg/kg/day chitosan dissolved in saline by oral gavage, the AS+CS group was given 100 ppm/day Na-arsenite ad libitum with drinking water and 200 mg/kg/day chitosan dissolved in saline by oral gavage for 30 days. At the end of the 30-day experimental period, 90 mg/kg ketamine was administered intraperitoneally to all rats, and blood samples and kidney tissues were collected. Urea, uric acid, creatinine, P, Mg, K, Ca, Na, Cystatin C (CYS-C), Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM-1) levels were measured in serum samples. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the supernatant obtained from kidney tissue were analyzed by ELISA method. Compared with AS group, uric acid and creatinine levels of the AS+CS group were significantly decreased (p<0.001), urea, KIM-1, CYS-C, NGAL, and MDA levels were numerically decreased and CAT, GSH, and SOD levels were numerically increased (p>0.05). In conclusion, based on both biochemical and histopathological-immunohistochemical- immunofluorescence findings, it can be concluded that chitosan attenuates kidney injury and protects the kidney.

Occurence and genotype distributionof Cryptosporidium spp.,and Giardia duodenalis in sheep in Siirt, Turkey

Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia duodenalis are intestinal protozoan parasites known to infect humans and various animals and cause diarrhea. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and genotype of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in sheep in different locations of Siirt province. The fecal material for this study was collected from 500 sheep in different locations of Siirt province, Turkey. Fecal samples obtained from sheep were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. by Kinyoun Acid Fast staining and the Nested PCR method. Microscopic and Nested PCR methods revealed a prevalence of 2.4% (12/500) and 3.6% (18/500), respectively. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of C. ryanae, C. andersoni, and zoonotic C. parvum. In terms of Giardia duodenalis, 8.4% (42/500) and 10.2% (51/500) prevalence was determined using Nativ-Lugol and Nested PCR methods, respectively. Using sequence analysis, zoonotic assemblages A and B as well as assemblages E and D were detected. As a result of this study, both the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis and the presence of species that appear to be host-specific, as well as those known to be zoonotic, were revealed. A large-scale study is needed to understand the impact of these agents on sheep farming and their consequences on human health.

Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and Certain Trace Elements Relationship in Hair Goats Naturally Infected by Neospora caninum

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Neospora caninum in female hair goats raised in different locations of the Siirt province of Turkey, and to investigate the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), Zinc (Zn), and Copper (Cu) levels of the infected goats. The animal material of the study consists of a total of 184 female hair goats that are between 1 to 6 years old with the random sampling method. Investigation of the N.caninum antibodies was then performed using a commercial ELISA kit. The results of the ELISA tests reveal that the prevalence of N. caninum in the province of Siirt was 10.33% (19/184) positive, 7.61% (14/184) suspected, and 82.07% (151/184) negative. According to the ELISA test results, 10 seropositive and 10 seronegative sera samples were used in the TAS, TOS, Zn, and Cu analysis.  The TAS (p<0.01) and Zn (p<0.001) levels of goats positive with N. caninum were found to be lower compared to those of the seronegative goats, while their TOS and Cu levels were higher (p<0.05). This study was the first to determine the N.caninum prevalence in the goats raised in the province of Siirt. It was concluded that it would be beneficial to take precautionary measures, as well as further studies with larger scopes to be performed which should also involve dogs as the final hosts. Furthermore, the oxidative stress parameters (TAS, TOS) and certain trace elements (Zn, Cu) were found to be affected by the Neosporosis, which should be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.