Immunotoxicity and thyrotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBS] in human and experimental animals

Since polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] are among the most persistant and abundant chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants that create a potential health hazard for human beings and animals, it was the aim of the present study to shed light on the effects of PCBs on some important immune factors in workers and experimental animals and evaluate the effects of PCBs on the level of thyroid hormones that may alter the neurodevelopmental process in human. The level of immunoglobulins [IgG and IgM] were detected in the sera of workers exposed to PCBs in their blood and also the level of IgG and IgM were detected in the sera of albino rats after exposure to PCBs with detection of IgE that bind to specific cell surface receptors on tissue mast cells. Serum IgG and IgM level were estimated by an Enzyme Linked immuno Sorbant Assay [ELISA]. Rats were sacrificed to study mast cell degranulation .The level of thyroid hormones: Triiodothyronine [T3], Thyroxine [T4] and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH] were detected on workeres and experimental animals as an indicator for thyrotoxicity of PCBs. The results had shown a significant decrease in IgG and IgM with increased degranulation of mast cells as an indicator of immunotoxicity and decrease in thyroid hormones levels as an indicator of thyrotoxicity

Role of vitamin [E] against immunotoxic and genotoxic effects of hexavalent chromium in albino rats

Sine chormium is one of the most important pollutants present in the general and industrial environment that induce health hazards, it was the aim of the present study to shed light on the role of antioxidant as vitamin [E] in the protection against immunotoxic and genotoxic effects of chromium in adult albino rats. Rats were divided into four groups, the first group was given 1/10 LD 50 of sodium dichromate, the second group was given sodium dichromate with vitamin E, the third group was given vitamin E alone in addition to the control group as a fourth group. After three weeks serum immunoglobulin [IgG and IgM] with immunohistochemical change in T-lymphocytes in bone marrow and spleen were detected and chromosomal pattern in rats bone marrow were examined. Results showed a significant decrease in serum immunoglobulin [IgG and IgM] and decrease in the number of CD4 helper T-lymphocytes with some increase in the number of CD8 supressors T-Iymphocytes and abnormalities in chromosomal pattern in the first group while the other groups showed no changes in serum immunoglobulins, T -lymphocytes or chromosomal pattern vitamin E administration can be a promising solution to ameliorate the chromium-induced immunotoxic and genotoxic effect. So, further studies on individuals exposed to chromium regarding its immunotoxicity and genotoxicity is recommended

genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of parcetamol in albino rats

This study aimed to shed light on genotoxic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of paracetamol. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, alanine amino transferase [ALT], aspirate amino transferase [AST] and alkaline phosphatase were detected after exposure to a high dosage of paracetamol for two weeks. Rats were sacrificed and hepatic and renal tissues were examined by electron microscope to evaluate hepatic and renal toxicity and bone marrow cells were examined for chromosomal abnormalities as an indicator of cytogenic toxicity

Protective effects of melatonin in carbon tetrachloride [CCL4] - induced hepatotoxicity

The addition of pharmacological amount of melatonin to rats intoxicated byCCL4 resulted in a marked decrease in hepatic damage. The aim of this studywas to shed light on the protective effects of melatonin on CCL4-inducedhepatotoxicity in albino rats. The rats were divided into three groups. Thefirst group was given CCL4 alone, the second group was given CCL4, followed bymelatonin and the third group served as a control. After two weeks, serumaspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkalinephosphatase were estimated in both groups, then the rats were sacrificed andhepatic tissue were subjected to an examination by electron microscope. Theresults showed a significant rise in AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatasetogether with a damage in mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and enlargednucleus in the first group; while, the second group showed no changes inliver function or hepatic cells, which meant that melatonin protect the livercells from the harmful effects of CCL4

Effects of lead toxicity on some important immune factors in human and experimental animals

Lead [pb] is the most common environmental and workplace contaminantpresenting health problem following exposure. This study aimed to investigatethe effect of lead on serum immunoglobulins [IgG and IgM] in exposed workersafter detecting its level in their blood and detect IgG and IgM in serumof albino rats after exposure with detecting IgE that bind to specificcell surface receptors on tissue mast cells. Serum IgG and IgM levels wereestimated by an enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Rats weresacrificed to study mast cell degranulation. The results showed a significantdecrease in IgG and IgM level together with an increase degranulation of mast.cells

Effect of somkoing on plasminogen

The present work was performed on 80 male volunteers classified into 3 groups; the control [non-smokers] group, the ex-smokers group and the smokers group. The last group was subdivided into 6 subgroups according to age of startsmoking, number of smoked cigarettes/day and duration of smoking. A bloodsample was obtained from each volunteer and examined for plasminogen level. It was found that the most important factor affecting plasminogen level is theage of start smoking and that cessation of smoking returns plasminogen to itsnormal level