Pituitary gland dysfunction as a parameter for early detection of chronic cadmium toxicity: an experimental study

Cadmium [Cd] is considered one of the most toxic trace elements in the environment. Kidneys have been used as standards for delimiting metal toxic concentration. However, recent reports indicate that chronic exposure to low doses of cadmium can cause pituitary gland and reproductive disturbances. Since the clinical manifestations of cadmium intoxication become evident only after a certain period of its accumulation, it is important to know if there is an early parameter to detect cadmium toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate pituitary gland dysfunction as an early parameter of chronic cadmium toxicity by comparing cadmium toxic effects on pituitary gland, as regard order of appearance, with renal function disturbances. This work was conducted on 66 adult male albino rats that were divided into three main groups; group I [negative control] consisted of 18 rats, group II [positive control group] consisted of 18 rats and received I ml distilled water daily by gavage and group III [Cadmium group]; consisted of 30 rats ad received Cd C12 in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg BW/daily by gavage. Each one of these three main groups was subdivided according to the experimental period into three equal subgroups; [a], [b] and [c]. The experimental period was one month for subgroups Ia, IIa, and IIIa, two months for subgroups Ib, IIb and IIIb and three months for subgroups Ic, IIc and IIIc. Estimation of FSH, LH, creatinine, BUN, Beta2- microglobulins [beta 2-MG] serum levels and Cd tissue level in the kidney and pituitary gland was carried out together with histological examination of pituitary gland and kidneys. The results of this study show that admium has induced toxic effects in both pituitary gland and kidneys with cadmium accumulation in both organs being more in the renal tissues. However, pituitary sysfunction appeared earlier than renal dysfunction. These findings suggest that pituitary gland may be more sensitive to cadmium toxicity than the kidney. So, further researches are recommended for evaluation of estimation of pituitary functions for early detection of chronic cadmium toxicity. Also, strictly enforced limits of cadmium in foods are necessary for an overall decrease in exposure. Moreover, persistence in the environment of this metal requires a long-term move toward minimizing human exposure through environmental measures and preservations of lower cadmium levels wherever possible

Evaluation of the potential protective effect of quercetin on experimentally induced gastric ulceration in adult albino rats

Quercetin is the major member of flavonoids which are phenolic compounds widely distributed in many edible plants. Several studies reported that quercetin has many beneficial effects on human health including gastroprotective and antiulcerogenic effects. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential protective effect of quercetin on experimentally induced gastric ulceration by ethanol. 42 adult male albino rats were implemented in this study and divided into 6 equal groups as follows: group I: negative control, group II: distilled water, group III: quercetin 100 mg/kg/day, group IV: 1 ml ethanol 70%, group V: quercetin for 3 days then ethanol in the same doses and group VI: ethanol followed by quercetin for 3 days in the same doses. All drugs were given to rats by gavage. The duration of the experiment was 3 days after which all animals were sacrificed and macroscopic examination of the stomach was done to determine ulcer index. Samples were collected from gastric mucosa for determination of gastric tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha], histamine, malondialdehyde [MDA] and total protein sulfhydryl [SH] content. Microscopic examination of the stomach was also done. Ethanol administration in group IV resulted in significant increase in the levels of TNFalpha, histamine and MDA and significant decrease in total protein SH content. Histological results revealed that ethanol induced gastric ulceration with significant increase in ulcer index. This study proved that quercetin protected against and ameliorated ethanol-induced gastric ulceration through cytokine modulation, antihistaminic and antioxidant mechanisms as shown by biochemical and histological results. This gastroprotective effect of quercetin was more significant in group V than in group VI. So, the use of quercetin can be considered in the prevention and treatment of drug induced gastric ulceration. Also, further studies are recommended to evaluate the protective effect of quercetin on other types of gastric ulcer

Role of zinc in hepato- and nephrotoxic effects of chlorpyrifos. A biochemical, trace elemental and histological study

Chlorpyrifos [CPF] is one of the most potent broad-spectrum organophosphates used frequently against cockroaches and other structural pests. Repeated exposure to chlorpyrifos may endanger many populations with resultant toxic effects on many organs. Recent studies revealed that zinc might modulate these toxic effects. This work was carried out to ascertain the toxic effects of CPF on the rat liver and kidney. Also, the possible protective role of zinc had been evaluated. The study was conducted on 70 adult male albino rats divided into seven equal groups. Group I: negative control, group II: distilled water, group III: zinc, group IV: low dose CPF, group V: high dose CPF, group VI: zinc and low dose CPF and group VII: zinc and high dose CPF. The duration of the study was eight weeks then hepatic, renal profiles, plasma zinc, copper, MDA, SOD, GSH, GSSO were measured. Also, histological examination of liver and kidney was done. The obtained biochemical and histological results revealed hepatic and renal toxic effects induced by CPF in a dose dependent manner. Zinc supplementation resulted in a remarkable protective effect at the biochemical and histological levels. Further studies on zinc supplementation to either patients or workers exposed to CPF are recommended

Potential protective effect of L-Arginine on cyclosporine A induced osteopenia in adult albino rats

This study aimed to assess the possible toxic effect of cyclosporine A [CsA] on bone and the potential protective effect of L-arginine on CsA-induced osteopenia. The study was conducted on 120 adult male albino rats divided into eight equal groups: Group I [negative control], group II [distilled water], group III [corn oil], group IV [L-arginine, low dose], group V [L-arginine, high dose], group VI [CsA], group VII [L-arginine, low dose + CsA] and group VIII [L- arginine, high dose + CsA]. The duration of the study was six weeks, then the level of urinary deoxypyridinoline [Dpd] and N- terminal telopeptide [NTx] [markers of bone resorption], serum calcium, osteocalcin and bone specific alkaline phosphatase [BSALP] [markers of bone formation] were measured. Also, bone mineral density [BMD] of spine using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DEXA] was measured. The results showed that CsA had an osteopenic effect and L-arginine provoked a significant protective effect

Some of the toxic responses accompanying both short and long term administration of mycophenolate mofetil in adult albino rats

Some of the toxic hazards associated with short- and long-term administration of mycophenolate mofetil [Cellcept] were evaluated in this study. It was conducted on 36 adult albino rats of both sexes [180 +/- 20 g body weight]. They were divided into four main groups: A negative control group [group I], positive control groups [IIa and IIb] received distilled water orally and Cellcept groups [III and IV] received Cellcept 72 mg/day and 36 mg/day orally for one and three months, respectively. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for the determination of Hb concentration, red blood cells count [RBCs], white blood cells count [WBCs] and platelets counts, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine, uric acid, potassium [K+], sodium [Na+] and calcium [Ca++] levels. Furthermore, a histopathological examination of the small intestine and the kidneys was carried out