ABSTRACT
Nicotine is generally regarded to be a primary risk factor in the development of hepatic, cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. Therefore, the current study was designed to compare the extent of the oxidative stress induced by nicotine upon the liver of adult male and female rats. Nicotine toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mg base/Kg body weight for 2 months. Cellular damage of liver was assessed by measuring the activity of serum transaminases. Antioxidant status was assessed in liver by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPX], glutathione-S-transferase [GST] and reduced glutathione [GSH]. Histopathological liver changes were examined. The results showed a significant elevation in serum ALT and AST in nicotine-treated rats versus control groups. In comparison with the control findings of male and female rats, nicotine-treated male and female rats showed significant increase in MDA content by 57.3 and 41.8% respectively and a significant reduction in GSH levels by 60.1 and 30.7% respectively with observed significant inhibition in GPX activity by 56.5 and 28.6% respectively and a concomitant significant inhibition in GST activity by 71.2 and 51.2% respectively. Also, significant inhibition in SOD activity was achieved in nicotine-treated male and female rats by 66 and 51.6% versus control groups respectively. Male rats appeared to be more susceptible to nicotine toxicity than females. Histological examination of liver tissues in nicotine-treated male and female rats significantly revealed marked tissue damage and changes versus control counterparts. These changes included focal and confluent necrosis, portal tract inflammation and steatosis. These changes being more obvious and severe in male rats. In conclusion, the results showed the existence of significant sex dependent difference between male and female rats towards nicotine toxicity. Further studies are required to elucidate the precise gonadal hormones mechanism upon the sex dependent difference
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Animals, Laboratory , Liver/pathology , Oxidative Stress , Histology , Liver Function Tests , Superoxide Dismutase , Glutathione Peroxidase , Malondialdehyde , Rats , Antioxidants , Sex CharacteristicsABSTRACT
Experimental duel infection with S.mansoni and E. granulosus was induced in mice to determine their effect on serum nitric oxide [NO] level and accordingly on the sequences of histopathological lesions affecting the liver. The results showed that serum NO level was significantly increased [p = 0.05] in mice infected with both parasites [GI] in comparison to either S.mansoni [GIV] or E. granulosus [GV]. The NO elevation on hepatic pathological lesions of both diseases showed a marked reduction of granuloma size with absence of concentric fibrosis in GI as early as 4 weeks of concomitant infection as compared to GIV. In spite of the significant increase of NO level when E. granulosus infection induced in late stages of schistosomiasis [GsII and III], yet granuloma size was not suppressed. Also, there was absence or death of hydatid cyst in mice [GI] compared to E. granulosus [GV]. So, the duel infection with the two parasites affected serum NO level and hepatic hisotopahtology, by ameliorative or deteriorative effects, according to duration of infection with either