Hepatorotective effect of garlic [Allium sativum] and vitamin E on experimental liver injuries induced by ultraviolet radiation

Previous researches have demonstrated that the garlic and vitamin E were able to exert preventive properties against sunburn, delay the onset of skin tumors and reduce radiation induced tissue damage. These compounds may act as antioxidants able to scavenge free radicals and lipid peroxidation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible protective effect of garlic and vitamin E against ultraviolet radiation induced liver damage. A total of 60 male albino rats weighing 180-200 g were used in this study. The rats were divided into six groups. Each group contained 10 rats. Group [1] Animals were kept as control. Group [2] Animals were exposed to ultraviolet C-rays 180-280 nm for 30 successive days. Group [3] was given ethanolic extract of garlic at dose level of 0.18 ml/100 g.15 min before exposure to ultraviolet C-rays 180-280 nm for 30 successive days. Group [4] was given vitamin E at dose level of 100 mg/kg b. w 15 min before exposure to ultraviolet C-rays 180-280 nm. The fifth and sixth groups were given garlic and vitamin E respectively for 30 successive days. Histopathological effects in liver were demonstrated as necrosis, fibrosis, fatty changes, inflammatory cellular infiltration and vacuolar degeneration. Deep nuclear basophilia and karyolysis were also seen in some hepatocytes. No pathological, histochemical and ultrastructural changes could be observed in rats treated with garlic or vitamin E. Histochemical results showed marked diminution of glycogen content, DNA, protein content and increase in collagen deposition. Ultrastructural changes were observed in irradiated rats in the form of areas of cytoplasmic dissolution, partial clumping of nuclear chromatin and partial disappearance of nuclear membrane. Mitochondria had dense matrix with proliferation and vesiculation of endoplasmic reticulum. The treatment of rats with ethanolic extract of garlic or vitamin E before exposure to ultraviolet C-rays alleviated the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation

Genotoxicity of ranitidine-Hcl histochemical cytogenetical and teratological study

Ranitidine-HCl is widely prescribed by Egyptian physicians as an acid-supperssing medication in patients with some gastrointestinal diseases. It is frequently continued when symptoms persist. The genotoxicity of ranitidine is controversial. In the present study, its genotoxicity was assessed after drenching pregnant mice [from the 6[th]-15[th] day of gestation] saline, half therapeutic, therapeutic or double therapeutic doses of ranitidine. Teratogenicity in the offspring were detected. Chromosomal aberration were assessed in bone marrow cells of the mothers, and the embryonic cells of the 18-day embryos. The DNA frequency distribution in mother's hepatocytes and placenta were measured and statistically analyzed. Teratogenic study indicated that ranitidine causes a dose related decrease in body weight and skeletal size. The cytogenetic data indicates that ranitidine administration results in a dose dependent increase in the total aberration in both mothers and embryos. The rate of increase in polyploidy in relation to the dose is higher in mothers than embryos. The frequency distribution of DNA in hepatocytes of pregnant mice shows that the population of cells in the sub G2 representing apoptotic cells, hyper G2 representing S-hase and aneupoloid cells, and polyploid cells are increasing in dose dependent fashion. Such changes were less pronounced in the cells of the placenta. In conclusion, oral administration of ranitidine-HCl results in genotoxic features especially in adult pregnant mice

Protective effect of melatonin, methionine and zink on cadmium nephrotoxicity: histopathologically, histochemically and AgNORs quantitation

Cadmium [Cd] is a highly toxic heavy metal that is naturally present in the environment. Chronic exposure to Cd causes hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The present study aimed to study the protective effect of melatonin, methionine and zinc against histopathological, histochemical and proliferative effects of cadmium on the kidney of rats. A total of 80 female albino rats were included in this study and divided into 8 groups. They were injected intraperitonealy with cadmium chloride [CdCl2] [2 mg / kg b.w.], melatonin [10 mg / kg b.w.], methionine [42.8 mg / b.w.] or zinc [20 mg / kg b.w.] with or without CdCl2 daily for 10 days. Treatment with CdCl2 induced marked tubular cell degeneration with large areas of interstitial hemorrhage.There were marked destruction of the brush borders with decrease in glycogen and protein contents of the degenerated tubules. AgNORs count significantly increased. Injection of melatonin or methionine to CdCl2 treated rats resulted in improvement of Cd-induced histopathological and histochemical changes. AgNORs count significantly decreased. Zinc injection partially protected the kidney from Cd-induced effects. In conclusion, melatonin and methionine have a more protective effect than zink against Cd nephrotoxicity