Some toxicological studies on croton oil in white rats

Eighty albino rats of both sexes were used in this study and divided into 4 equal groups. The first 3 groups were injected I/P with croton oil in a dose of 0.50 and 1.00 mg/k gm B. Wt. respectively while the 4th group was kept as control and injected 0.5 ml tween-80 I/P. Results revealed that R.B.Cs. count, HB% and PCV were decreased while W.B.Cs count were increased significantly. Differential leucocytic counts were significantly decreased in lymphocytes and significantly increased in neutrophils and monocytes while eosinophils were slightly increased but basophils were not affected. Levels of GOT, GPT and AP were significantly increased while T.P. albumin and globulin were significantly decreased in serum of toxicated rats. Urea and creatinine were decreased but potassium was increased in comparison to control group. Calcium and phosphorous levels were slightly changed in serum of treated rats. Microscopically the liver was congested with mononuclear aggregation and the hepatocyte suffered from degenerative changes. The kidney showed haemorrahages with haemosidrosis, mononuclear cell infilteration, congestive blood vessels with fibrinoid necrosis of their wall, the tubules showed degenerative changes and hyaline cast. The lung suffered from congetion with emphysema. The heart revealed haemorrahages with some hyalinization. The brain lesion was extravasated R.B.Cs. in meninges. Testicels showed few oedema in the intertubular spaces

Effect of cadmium on growth in white rats

A total of 80 albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups. The first 20 rats were kept as control and the other three groups were dosed orally by 0.143, 0.561 and 2.00 mg/kg B.wt. respectively for 8 succesive weeks. The results revealed decrease in body weight in a dose dependant manner. Also the length, thickness of femur and thickness of diaphesis decreased in the same way while diameter decrease occured in the third group only. Calcium content of bone showed a decrease in the three doses levels while phosphorus revealed such effect in groups [1] and [2]. Calcium revealed a decrease in serum and increased level in urine meanwhile the phosphorus showed increase in both serum and urine

Histopathological and histochemical, effects of snake venom and antivenom: an experimental study

The work is an attempt towards a better and clear understanding of the effect of snake venom [Ceriastes cerastes] on the different tissue of the experimental of the results occurring after the use of antivenom in the treatment of envenomation was done.The study includes the following groups : Group I: To demonstrate the effect of single different doses [0.5, 1.15 and 2 ug/gm body weight] of Cerastes venom The different organs taken [Liver, Kidneys, lungs and heart] showed marked histopathological and histochemical [alkaline phosphatase] changes which their degree being proportional according to the dose given. On in the other hand, the brain was the least sensitive of all the organs examined.Group II : To demonstrate the effect of repeated small doses [0.5 ug/gm, body weight] of Cerastes cerastes venom every other day for six doses on the different tissues of guineapigs. The same changes with group I were noticed but to a lesser extent. Group III: To demonstrate the effect of polyvalent antivenom after the venom.The toxic-induced changes were markedly reduced. It is to be concluded from this study that single different doses of Cerastes cerastes venom have both histopathological and histochemical effects on different tissue and the degree of these effects being proportional to the dose given. Repeated small doses have a lesser effect. It is recommended that the appropriate antivenom should be given to prevent or reduce the damaging effect of the venom

Exposure to formaldehyde vapour: a medical occupational hazard

Fourty male and female albino rats were housed in dissecting room of Pathology Department for 10 weeks to determine histopathological alterations in their internal organs resulting from exposure to occupational concentration of formaldehyde vapour [4.5 ppm]. Definite changes were induced in the liver [up to focal necrosis], kidney [focal periglomerular fibrosis], lungs [generalized congestion with epithelial hyperplasia and pseudostratification of bronchioles] and the testis showed focal hypospermatogenic tubules. These toxic changes nescessitate fulfillment of strict measures for reducing concentration of formaldehyde vapour in medical laboratories to protect medical and paramedical personnel, particularly those with hepatic, renal or pulmonary troubles

Aluminum related encephalopathy in uremic patients on haemodialysis

The role of aluminum as a causative agent of encephalopathy in uremic patients on haemodialysis, and the effect of lowering serum aluminum level by the chelating agent deferoxamine [DFO] in improving clinical and electroencephalographic [EEG] features of dialysis encephalopathy [DE] was evaluated in eight patients with dE. This work was carried out on [10] control persons and [32] uremic adult patients on hemodialysis [HD] and receiving aluminum containing phosphate binder to prevent hyperphosphatemia. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to the duration of haemodialysis. The first subgroup [10] patients who have been on [HD] for a period up to 6 months. Second subgroup [10] patients who have been on HD for 6-12 months. The third subgroup [12] were on [HD] for more than 12 months up to 6 years. All patients underwent neurological examination and a waking EEG. We diagnosed dE only in the presence of the typical EEG, charges with or without manifest clinical symptoms. Thirteen [20%] patients under study showed clinical and/or typical EEG signs of DE. Five of the 13 patients developed serious clinical deterioration which led to death of four of them. Four of the remaining patients with DE showed both clinical and EEG signs, while the remaining four showed only EEG signs. Comparatively the serum alminum [SAL] level in patients with dE was significantly higher than in patients without neurologic dysfunction [p<0.05]. After the DFO infusion test, there was a significant high increase in SAL levels in DE patients when compared with those without [t = 5.4, P<0.05]. In our patients with SAL over 100 micro g/L the prevalence of DE was unexpectedly high when this neurological disorder was carefully investigated. We conclude that regular and continuous monitoring of SAL levels both basal and after DFO test, is of considerable value in detecting those patients at risk for DE and that regular EEG recordings, at least every six months, for all patients with serum level > 100 micro g/L is a sensitive method of detecting subclinical DE. Although DFO therapy has been applied to a limited number of patients in this study, we believe that it offers an effective treatment for DE, hoping that this disorder be a disease of the past

Effect of cannabis sativa on prolactin hormone of male dogs

Six weekly repeated doses of crude cannabis were ingested by 12 nature male dogs. Serum prolactin hormone level was measured by radioimmunoassay every two weeks. The results showed significant and marked hyperprolactinemia

Effect of chronic lead poisoning on testosterone of white rats

Three groups of 90 rats were dosed daily with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg b. wt. lead acetate solutions orally. Testosterone level were estimated by radioimmunoassay every 14 days up to 90 days. The results showed significant decrease in serum testosterone level affected by toxic dose along with toxicity duration