Cadmium (Cd) and Chlorpyrifos (CPF) Induced Pulmonary Toxicity in Wistar Rats

The present study was aimed to know the pulmonary toxicity by individual toxicities of cadmium, chlorpyrifos and their combination in albino wistar rats. The experiment was carried out for 28 days. Group 1 - Control. Group 2 - Cadmium chloride (Cd) @ 22.5 mg/ kg b.wt /per oral / day. Group 3 - Chlorpyrifos (CPF) @ 25 mg/ kg b.wt /per oral / day. Group 4 - Cadmium chloride (Cd) @22.5 mg + Chlorpyrifos (CPF) @ 25 mg/ kg b.wt /per oral / day. Lungs showed mild to moderate congestion in groups 2 and 3 and moderate to severe in group 4 on 15th and 29th day of the experiment. Lung sections of control rats showed normal architecture. Lung sections of group 2 rats on 15th day showed hemorrhages in the interstitium spaces with infiltration of lymphocytes, On 29th day, mild hyperplasia and desquamated bronchial epithelial cells, peri bronchial and peri vascular lymphoid aggregates were noticed. The sections of lung on 15th day of group 3 rats showed exudate and desquamated epithelial cells in the lumen of secondary bronchiole , on 29th day, emphysematous alveoli with loss of architecture of alveolar epithelium, interstitial edema with infiltration of lymphocytes, mild hyperplasia of bronchial epithelial cells were also noticed. In group 4 rats, similar lesions as described in groups 2 and 3 were observed with severe intensity on 15th and on 29th day of the experiment. In combined toxicity group, the severity of lesions were more thus suggesting synergistic effects of these components.

Hematological Alterations Induced by Imidacloprid and Ameliorative Effect of Withania somnifera in Female Albino Wistar Rats

Present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of oral administration of imidacloprid on weekly body weights and hematological parameters in female rats and also to determine the protective role of Withania somnifera against imidacloprid induced toxicity. Forty eight (48) female albino Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of twelve (12) animals each. Group 1 served as control, groups 2 was given with imidacloprid at the rate of 30 mg/kg b.wt/day, group 3 was maintained as Withania somnifera (WS) control (1g/ kg feed) and group 4 was treated with both imidacloprid + Withania somnifera (dose as above). The experiment was carried out for a period of 30 days and the test compound was administered daily by oral gavage. Blood samples were collected on 15th and 30th day for hematological analysis. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weekly body weights were observed in group 2. Hematology revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in TEC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC and increase (P < 0.05) in TLC in group 2. The DLC revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in neutrophil count and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in lymphocyte count in group 2. Administration of Withania somnifera along with imidacloprid brought moderate protection in all the above parameters

Identification of Suitable Guar Genotypes for Summer Season of Semi-Arid Region.

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) is a nitrogen-fixing legume has been used as a green manure, forage and as a seed crop. Guar gum, extracted from the pods of the guar plant, is widely used as an emulsifier, thickener and stabiliser in food and cosmetics. Approximately 23% of the guar seed is the gum (galactomannin). With growing international demand for the guar gum, identification or development of suitable varieties for different agro climatic conditions along with high seed yield and quality gum is the pressing need of the hour. To address these issues five guar varieties were evaluated during summer for their yield potential along with biotic factors. The genotype RGC-1017 performed better for biomass, pod number and seed yield as well as showed resistance to cutworm disease. RGC-986 a long duration variety produced high vegetative biomass with good root and shoot system may serve as a dual purpose variety for fodder and seed.

Evaluation of zinc against salinomycin toxicity in broilers.

Salinomycin was studied for its toxicity and zinc (80 mg/kg) was assessed for prophylactic and therapeutic management in broiler chicks. Male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 7 groups consisting of 6 chicks in each. Group 1, 2 and 3 were maintained as control, therapeutic dose control (60 mg/kg feed) and toxic dose control (120 mg/kg feed), respectively. Group 4 was fed on feed containing salinomycin therapeutic dose and zinc. Group 5 received feed containing toxic dose of salinomycin. Group 6 and 7 were fed on feed containing toxic dose of salinomycin for the first 4 weeks for induction of ionophore toxicity and for the subsequent 2 weeks, group 6 received zinc and group 7 was fed on feed containing toxic dose of salinomycin along with zinc. Weekly body weights revealed a significant (P<0.01) decrease in toxic controls as compared to group 1, 2, 4 and 5. The activity of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase, and the values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total proteins, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins (LDL), urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly (P<0.01) elevated in toxic controls, whereas glutathione (GSH) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) were significantly (P<0.01) lowered as compared to group 1, 2, 4 and 5. Following toxicity, zinc supplementation in group 6 and 7, all serobiochemical parameters were revived to normal. Thus, it is enunciated that salinomycin toxicity is due to oxidative damage and use of zinc in feed tends to cure and avoid any accidental toxicity.

Evaluation of vitamin E against deltamethrin toxicity in broiler chicks.

Deltamethrin toxicity was studied in broilers and vitamin E was evaluated for therapeutic management. Day old male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 3 groups consisting of 6 chicks in each. Group 1 was maintained as control for 6 wks, group 2 was fed on deltamethrin (100 mg/kg feed) for 6 wks and group 3 was fed on deltamethrin for the first 4 wks and during the subsequent 2 wks with vitamin E (300 mg/kg feed) with out deltamethrin. Weekly body weights, feed conversion ratio, glutathione (GSH) concentration and high density lipoproteins (HDL) were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced, while the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-R), catalase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the lipid profile and renal biomarkers were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in group 2 and 3 at the end of 4th wk as compared to group 1. Following treatment with vitamin E during the last 2 wks in group 3, all the parameters in study revealed improvement. From this study, it is concluded that deltamethrin induces toxicity by oxidative damage in biological system and supplementing vitamin E in feed is useful in treating accidental toxicity.