ABSTRACT
Fluoroquinolones are known to have an adverse effect on growing cartilage and endochondral ossification in children. Recently, a number of reports showed that fluoroquinolones have toxic effects of on articular cartilage. However, the mechanism has not been defined. The aim of this work is to investigate the toxic effects of Levofloxacin on fracture-repair in adult albino rats through the radiographic [X-ray], histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations. Ninety adult albino rats weighing about 200 gm were equally divided into 3 groups: Group I : Fractured Control group: Enclosed non-displaced femoral fracture was induced in the rats of this group and left for healing. Group II: Fractured control rats received distilled water. Group III: A femoral fracture was induced then, after 1 week, the rats received daily single oral dose of Levofloxacin 50 mg/kg, for 3 weeks. The fracture site of each rat femur is investigated for fracture-healing process by radiological [X-ray], histopathologic and immunohistochemical parameters at the following stages of the study: a] Immediately after induction of the fracture b] After 1 week of induction of the fracture c] After 4 weeks of the induction of the fracture. After 4 weeks of the study, the femoral fracture sites revealed that levotloxacin-treated group showed a significant delayed healing with less bridging bone of the fracture, lower histologic grade as represented by less mature callus detected by the presence of more cartilage and less woven bone and reduced proliferation rate of mesenchymal cells as compared with the fracture control group. It is concluded that levofloxacin antibiotic has a significant toxic effects on fractured bone represented by delayed healing process. Regarding the exact mechanism, further studies on the effects of fluoroquinolones on fracture-repair process seems warranted
ABSTRACT
Heroin addiction markedly affects the nutritional and metabolic status and frequently lead to malnutrition. The aim of our study is to compare the serum leptin concentration in 20 patients with heroin addiction before and after 6 months of detoxification and naltrexone maintenance treatment program with the group of age, sex and body mass index-matched healthy subjects. Basal serum leptin in heroin addicts was significantly decreased [3.2 +/- 0.4 versus 4.3+/-0.5ng/ml; P<0.05]. Moreover, positive correlation of serum leptin levels with body mass index was lost in heroin addicts compared to control group. Six months of naltrexone maintenance treatment program, serum leptin level was normalized. In conclusion serum leptin levels are markedly decreased in heroin addict patients and normalized in naltrexone maintenance treated patients
ABSTRACT
Inorganic mercury present in the environment is a well established toxicant to human health. This study was conducted to evaluate the genotoxicity and spermatotoxicity of mercuric chloride [HgCh] and the possible protective role of vitamin E in adult male albino rats. One hundred and twenty rats were equally divided into 6 groups [daily orally]; the 1[st] group [negative control] received the basal diet, 2[nd] group [saline positive control] received 1 ml saline, 3[rd] group [oil positive control] received 1 ml corn oil, 4[th] group received HgCh in a dose of 2.59 mg/kg body weight in I ml saline orally/day, 5[th] group received vitamin E in a dose of 3.6 mg/100 gm body weight dissolved in 1 ml corn oil and 6[th] group received HgCb and vitamin E in the same previous doses. The period of the experimental study extended for one month, then 10 rats from each group were used to estimate chromosomal pattern. The other 10 rats were sacrificed and epididymal spermatozoa\\\} examinations [sperm motility, sperm cell count, sperm viability and sperm abnormalities] were done. Mercuric chloride produced chromosomal gaps and fragments, dicentric chromosome, ring chromosome and polyploidy in significant levels compared to other groups. As well as HgCh produced significant decreased sperm motility, sperm cell count and sperm viability and significant increase in sperm abnormalities when compared with other groups. Vitamin E alone did not produce any significant genotoxicity or spermatotoxicity in comparison to control group. Moreover, it could significantly protect the rats from genotoxicity and spermatotoxicity of HgCh when given concomitantly with it when compared to HgCh alone. It is concluded that vitamin E has a protective role against genotoxic and spermatotoxic effects of HgCl]
ABSTRACT
Long term administration of diet enriched with vitamin A to experimental rats demonstrated a significant increase in liver total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Similar findings [except for triglycerides] were observed in serum. Erythrocyte membrane phospholipids revealed an increase in only phosphatidylcholine. Results may be explained through a hypothesis of cholesterol with retinol and probable enhancement of liver lipid synthesis in response to long intake of vitamin A