Evaluation of some micronutrients, antioxidant biomarkers and total antioxidant capacity in human giardiasis

Giardia lamblia, a common parasite of the human small bowel, is responsible for diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies and production of free radicals. Micronutrients regulate many physiological functions and participate in antioxidant defense. Changes in their serum levels occur in several gastrointestinal disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the homeostasis of some micronutrients and antioxidant defense in human giardiasis. The study was designed to compare serum levels of some micronutrients and antioxidant status in 30 patients with symptomatic giardiasis and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Giardia trophozoites and/or cysts were detected in the stool samples of patients using saline and iodine wet mount preparations and formol ether technique. Levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and chromium were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Vitamin E level was determined as well as total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and serum levels of the antioxidant biomarkers; albumin, total bilirubin and uric acid were evaluated. Giardia-infected patients displayed significantly lower levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, chromium and vitamin E and higher levels of copper and uric acid compared to controls. TAC, albumin and bilirubin in Giardia-infected patients were not significantly different from the controls. The pathophysiological changes in giardiasis alter the homeostasis of some micronutrients. Uric acid constitutes an important antioxidant defense in human giardiasis that may compensate for the deficiency of some antioxidant micronutrients. Prevention and treatment of giardiasis may have a positive impact on the micronutrient status and on the general health of the population

Contact exposure of red Baladi rabbits to diazinon induces physiological and histopathological changes

Diazinon are widely used as pesticides in agriculture. So, the current work aimed to investigate the effects of diazinon exposure on some physiological aspects, histopathological changes and histochemical acetyl- cholinesterase in red Baladi rabbits. Seventy-two red Baladi bucks were distributed into three groups, the rabbits of the first group were dipped into tap water and served as control group. The rabbits of the second and the third groups were dipped in diazinon at concentrations of 0.6 mg [DLC] and 3 mg [DHC] dissolved in one litter of water, respectively for 10 sec. This step was repeated after 10 days. The animals were sacrificed by jugular vein incision after 0, 1, 3, 7, 15 and 21 day following the second dipping of rabbits in diazinon. In whole blood, diazinon decreased rabbits's RBC's [P<0.01] and Hb [P<0.05], while MCV and MCH were elevated [P<0.01] for both tested concentrations, but PCV values were increased only [P<0.01] in the DHC group. In plasma TP was decreased [P<0.01] in both tested concentrations, however cholesterol was increased [P<0.01] in the DLC and DHC groups. Meanwhile hydroxylamine and nitrite were increased only in the DHC treated group. Liver body weight ratio and cytochrome P-450 were decreased [P<0.01] in both tested concentrations, while microsomal protein was increased [P<0.01] in both concentrations. RBC's, PCV and microsomal protein were increased [P < 0.01] by the days of treatment. Meanwhile, MCV, MCH, MCHC, liver body weight ratio and cytochrom P-450 were decreased [P <0.01] by the days of treatment. There was no definite trend with days of treatment for WBC's, Hb, TP, cholesterol, hydroxylamine and nitrite. There was a highly significant effect of concentration X day interaction [P<0.01] on all tested parameters. Histopathological changes of liver, kidney and brain were observed after DHC dipping. Glycogen content was decreased in liver and increased in kidney Bowman's capsule. Furtheremore, the AChE activity was inhibited in brain tissue and decreased in liver and gradually increased in kidney glomeruli cells. Exposure of animals to diazinin caused extensive changes in physiological, histochemical and histopathological parameters, the kidney and brain were highly affected by the diazinon exposure when compared with liver. Diazinon lead to negative response on animal performance