Protective effect of morin against flutamide-induced hepatotoxicity in mal wister rats

Aim of the work: The aim of this work was to investigate the protective role of morin against the hepatotoxic effect of flutamide [FLU] that is widely used drug for treatment of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma. Administration of FLU to male rats in a dose of 100 mg/ kg b.w. daily for 4 weeks resulted in serious hepatic injury

Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were equally divided into six experimental groups [n = 10]: Group I [control group] received appropriate vehicle [carboxy methyl cellulose, CMC] for 8 weeks, Group II [CM group] received CMC for 4 weeks then morin for another 4 weeks, Group III [ M group] were treated with morin for 8 weeks, Group IV [CF group] received CMC for 4 weeks then FLU for another 4 weeks, Group V [CMF group] received CMC for 4 weeks then morin for another 4 weeks then received morin associated with FLU for additional4 weeks and Group VI [MMF group] was pretreated with morin for 4 weeks then treated with morin simultaneously with FLU for additional 4 weeks

Results: In FLU treated rats, highly significant increases in each of serum ALT, AST, direct and total bilirubin as well as hepatic MDA were observed relative to the control group. Moreover, highly significant decrease in hepatic SOD, GSH and GST activities were observed. On the other hand, administration of morin with FLU resulted in mild and marked reduction in the elevated serum ALT, AST, direct and total bilirubin and hepatic MDA levels induced by FLU intoxication, respectively [regardingco-treatment and pretreatment with FLU]

Conclusion: These data showed protective effect of morin against FLU-induced hepatic damage, especially when administered prior to and concomitantly with FLU

Influence of garlic and panax ginseng supplementation on male rabbits exposed to aflatoxin B1

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of garlic and panax as dietary additions in alleviating the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 [AFB1] in male Chinchilla rabbits. Thirty rabbits [12-14 weeks age and mean body weight 1589 +/- 5.079 gm. Were classified into nearly 6 similar groups in their average body weights: first and second groups served as positive and negative controls, third and fourth groups received Aflatoxin B1 [AFB1] plus rather garlic or panax ginseng respectively. Fifth and sixth groups received only garlic and panax ginseng respectively. Rabbits were orally administered their respective doses of [AFB1] every other day for 10 weeks. The hemato-biochemical parameters and enzymatic activies were evaluated. Results showed that AFB1 significantly [P<0.05] decreased hemoglobin [Hb] total erythrocytic count [TEC] and [PCV]. Garlic and panax ginseng caused an increase in these parameters and counteracted the negative effect of AFB1 in the treated groups. Additionally, serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and glucose were significantly [P<0.05] declined by treatment with aflatoxin B1. Garlic and panax ginseng caused non significant increases in these parameters and lessen the harmful effect of AFB1. On the other hand, aflatoxin treatment caused significant increases [P<0.05] in the activities of serum asparatate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] in the treated groups also caused significant increases [p<0.05] in cholesterol and total bilirulin. Garlic and panax ginseng caused significant decreases in these parameters and alleviated the harmful effects of AFB1. Whereas total leukocyte count [TLC], urea and creatinine were not significantly affected by aflatoxin treatment. Generally, it is interesting feature that the dietary additions of macerate garlic or panax ginseng alone in G5 and G6 respectively had no negative effects on most of the previous parameters. Also the presence of garlic or panax ginseng could diminished the adverse effects of AFB1 on most of hematological and biochemical values and enzymatic activities in rabbits

Evaluation of the protective role of zeolite aginst toxicity by cadmium in skin and muscles of the Nile catfish clarias gariepinus

Aquaculture in Egypt plays a vital role in protein production. Pollution by heavy metals poses a real threat to this successful system because of their toxicity and tendency to accumulate in different body organs of fish and in turn represent a considerable threat to the general health of human beings. The present study was initiated to obtain a more comprehensive knowledge of the toxic effects of cadmium on skin and muscle tissues of Clarias. It also emphasizes the role of zeolite as an ion-exchanging agent used in the reduction of metal toxicity in aquaculture pounds to assess its prophylactic activity against cadmium toxicity. Adult Nile catfish Clarias gariepinus [Burchell, 1822] of both sexes were exposed to a low dose [3 ppm] of cadmium under static laboratory conditions for an overall experimental duration of 45 days. Among the most important histological alterations in skin and muscles tissues of cadmium-treated fishes were degeneration, stagnated blood through dilated blood vessels, haemorrhages, chronic inflammatory infiltration and prominent necrosis. On the other hand fish exposed to zeolite at a dose level of 4.0 g/l for a similar duration showed normal histological structure of the studied tissues. While addition of zeolite to cadmium to the aquatic media presents ameliorated skin and muscle architecture with attenuated histological alterations after 45 days. Moreover, the present histochemical study implied reduction of total protein content, RNA, DNA, SDH, ALP and an increase of NSE, in cadmium treated fishes. Similarly, zeolite supplementation to cadmium revealed marked improvement of the histochemical parameters, which were able to reach more or less normal pattern. The bioaccumulation rate of cadmium recorded the highest value in muscles of cadmium-treated fishes after 45 days. Addition of zeolite to cadmium- contaminated media reduced the cadmium level in fish muscle to near to normal control values. In conclusion, zeolite was capable to reduce cadmium level in fish muscles and improve the histological as well as the histochemical alterations in the studied tissues

Effect of prolonged exposure and withdrawal of methyl-tert-butyl ether on some haematological and haemopoietic parameters of the Nile catfish clarias gariepinus [Burchell, 1822]

The present study is an attempt to evaluate the long - term effect of a sublethal concentration of Methyl-tert- butyl ether on the haematology as well as the spleen as a major haemopoietic organ of the catfish Clarias gariepinus. It also emphasizes the possibility of MTBE biodegradation in fishes after its withdrawal from the aquatic medium. The experiment was carried out on three groups of adult Clarias of both sexes for 2 months. Group [I] served as a control group. Group [II] of fish were subjected to 1054 mg/l MTBE for 2 months, while group [III] represents the recovery group of fish maintained in clean water after withdrawal of the pollutant for another 2 months. The results indicated variable changes in haematological parameters of treated fishes. These changes included decrease in RBCs count, Hb content and HT%. Also, thrombocytopenia was obvious from the decrease of platelets number. On the other hand, the increase of the WBCs count indicated leucocytosis in treated fish. The increase of different red blood cell indices [MCv, MCH and MCHC] identified the anemia developed in treated fish as macrocytic hyperchromic anemia. Histological lesions were manifested by an increase of connective tissue and hyaline material, dilatation and congestion of blood vessels and thickened splenic arteries. Degeneration, necrosis, inflammatory infiltration and pyknotic nuclei were prominent features of the splenic tissue. Proliferations of reticulin fibres were noticed in splenic pulp, trabeculae and blood vessels. Histochemical study implied augmentation of haemosiderin pigments in MTBE treated fish. No significant improvement was recorded in all studied blood parameters nor in splenic tissue upon MTBE withdrawal from H2O2 for 2 months. In conclusion, the decline in different blood parameters have gone hand in hand with a corresponding destruction of the spleen tissue after MTBE prolonged exposure. The irreversible damage proved the inhibitory action of MTBE on the haemopoietic tissue of Clarias. The use of such toxicant must be under regulatory control

Urinary tract infection in children

Urinary tract infection is predominant among school age girls. It may be complicated by renal scarring and other complications if not diagnosed early and properly treated. 108 children with proven U.T.I. based on colony count > 105 organisms/ml were included in the study. All cases were examined clinically and investigated by laboratory tests and radiologically [abdominal U.S., plain U.T. and I.V.U. and in some cases V.U.C. or DMSA scan]. E. coli was the most offending organism in the series [71%] followed by Klebsiella [15.3%], Pseudomonas [5%], Proteus [4.7%] and Staphylococci in 4% of patients. Renal scarring was detected in 17 cases [15.7%]. V.U.R. was encountered in 4 out of 14 children [28.6%] having renal scarring, which was not associated with renal and ureteral stones. No single radiological imaging technique is adequate for diagnosing various genitourinary abnormalities. I.V.U. is more accurate than U.S. in detecting renal scarring and some congenital anomalies like duplex collecting system. V.U.C. can detect different grades of reflux, while DMSA scan is the most accurate in diagnosing renal scarring

Xanthogranulomatous infection of the urinary tract

Xanthogranulomatous infection is one of the rare types of severe infection affecting the urinary tract. It is usually associated with chronic infection and obstruction. It may affect the kidney, suprarenal gland, the lung,. etc. It is difficult to be diagnosed because the radiological data using the conventional radiology, ultrasound, CT scan and even renal angiography can not differentiate between xanthogranulomatous infection and renal or suprarenal tumors. Although the corner stone in the diagnosis is detection of xanthoma cells in urine or the removed specimen, its absence in urine does not exclude xanthogranulomatous infection. This study included the findings in 10 patients, in whom the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous disease of the kidney or suprarenal gland was made

Nephrocalcinosis in very low birth weight with family history of renal stones as risk factor

A follow up of 23 VLBW survived from 57 very low birth weight neonates [less than 1500 g] and 69 normal newborns [control] were included in the study. Serial renal ultrasonography was carried out to all neonates. Three of VLBW had a family history of renal stones [parturients], 2 of them developed nephrocalcinosis [66.7%]. In the other 20 neonates with VLBW and negative family history of renal stones, none developed nephrocalcinosis. In the control group, 65 had no family history of renal stones, while only 4 had positive family history, none of them developed nephrocalcinosis. It is concluded that nephrocalcinosis is more prevalent in very low weight neonates and is significantly associated with a family history of renal stones [66.7%]. Such neonates should have serial US assessment for the kidney and early blood tests for kidney function should be followed up thoroughly and cautiously after treatment with furosemide. Proper management of parturients with renal stones is mandatory to avoid premature delivery and its complications

Synthesis of some new imidazolinones of expected antimicrobial activity

The action of hydrazine on 5-cinnamylidene-2-ethylthio-3-phenylhydantoin [Ic] gave 1-amino-2-anilino-4-cinnamylidine- delta[2] imidazolin-5-one [II]. The latter was deaminated with nitrous acid to yield 2-amino-4-cinnamylidene- delta[2]-imidazolin-5-one [IVa] which was also obtained from Ic by the action of ammonium acetate or Ia by the action of aniline. Compound II was condensed with aromatic aldehydes to give the corresponding Schiff's bases VIa-f. A number of 2-substituted aminoimidazolinones IVb-j and VIIIa-d were also prepared. Some of the obtained compounds showed antimicrobial activity