reproductive toxicity of ribavirin in the adult rabbit testis [light and electron microscope study]

Ribavirin is one of the approved antiviral drugs indicated for various viral infections. So it is used as a current chemotherapy with interferon alpha for treatment of viral hepatitis C. The aim of the present study was to assess Ribavirin toxicity on the structure of testicular tissue of adult male rabbits after exposure to the drug as well as to evaluate the extent of improvement of testicular tissue structure after stoppage of drug administration. Eighteen adult male rabbits were used in this study. The rabbits were divided into three groups: control group [C] 6 male rabbits received distilled water by the same method and duration as the corresponding experimental groups, a treated group [T] was formed of 6 adult rabbits receiving Ribavirn in a dose of 15mg/kg/day at two divided doses for 10 weeks and a recovery group [R] receiving Ribavirin in a dose of 15mg/kg/day for 10 weeks followed by 10 weeks without treatment to assess the effect of drug withdrawal. The testes of each rabbit were immediately dissected out and specimens were fixed and stained with H and E. Minute specimens were stained with Toluidine blue for LM examination, and ultrathin sections were stained with Uranyl acetate and Lead citrate for TEM examination. Marked histological changes of the testis at the level of the light and electron microscope including disorganization of the semineferous tubules, reduction in the thickness of the germinal epithelium vaccuolation and degeneration of the spermatogenic cells. Sertoli cells and leydig cells were also affected. Partial recovery of the testis was observed in the recovery group, but some of the changes were still obvious. These testicular changes persisted after stoppage of Ribavirin administration indicates the cumulative toxic effects of Ribavirin that lead to hypospermatogenesis, oligospermia and then azospermia

Study of medical malpractice claims in sharqyia governorate [2007-2010]

The present study aimed to throw light on medical malpractice claims in Sharqyia governorate as a step for a primary evaluation all over the Egyptian goveraorates. 114 cases of malpractice claims were collected from Sharqyia Medicolegal Department, Ministry of Justice during the period from the beginning of 2007 till the end of 2010. The data obtained were analyzed in relation to plaintiff aspects, defendant aspects, locations of medical services, the final outcomes as well as the rate of autopsy performance. The results revealed that, there was a statistically significant increase in the total number of claims during the years of study. 20.2% of claims cases were positive and one defendant was involved in 96.5% of cases. The highest incidence of claims was in general surgery followed by orthopedics with a statistically

Evaluation of the hepatotoxic effects of polyethylene and butylated hydroxy toluene in adult male albino rats

Plastic is used in contact with nearly all packaged foods; plastic is made by combining many toxic synthetic man-made chemicals by a process called polymerization. FDA Office of Food Additive Safety assuming that all plastics migrate toxins into the food they contact. Butylated hydroxy toluene [BHT] is one of additives in LOPE [low-density polyethylene] and HOPE [high-density polyethylene]. Migration into water and food substances have been measured for this BHT antioxidant, generally at higher temperatures than experienced in normal use, there is considerable loss of antioxidants especially with fatty or oily foods so, study for biochemical and histopathological changes induced by Polyethylene and BHT on the liver of adult male albino rats using light and electron microscopes has done as following: Fifty albino rats were divided into five groups. 1[st] group rats served as control, 2[nd] group was gavaged daily with 0.5 ml of com oil [vehicle], 3rd group was administered with polyethylene pellets mixed to food by 1:20 daily, 4[th] group was gavaged with BHT by 1120 of LOSO equal 400 mg/kg/day in com oil, and the 5[th] group was gavaged by combination of polyethylene and BHT at same doses as 3[rd] and 4[th] groups. At the end of experiment which lasts for 12 weeks, all rats were anaesthetized and blood samples were collected for analysis of Alpha Feto Protein CAFP] serum level and liver function tests. Animals were sacrificed, specimens from liver were taken, and prepared for histopathological examination through light and electron microscopes. The study revealed that: There was significant increase of Alanine transaminase [ALT] and Aspartate transaminase CAST] with lowering in alkaline phosphatase level among Polyethylene, BHT and combination of BHT with Polyethylene administered groups compared to control group while AFP level showed significant elevation in both BHT and combined [polyethylene and BHT] group compared to control and polyethylene groups. These biochemical changes had been proved by histopathological examination, liver cells showed cellular infiltration around central vein with dilation and congestion of the vein and blood sinusoids, lobular necrosis with fatty infiltration. Ultrustructurally, liver cells showed muddy cytoplasm contained electro lucent vacuoles, electron dense mitochondria with loss of or few microvilli in bile canaliculi and sinusoids. This study concluded that, BHT gave the most significant toxic effect on liver of albino rats than ingestion of pure polyethylene while toxic effect was more prominent by using combination of both agents

Effect of titanium dioxide [TiO2] as a color additive on the testes, sperms and chromosomes of male albino rats

Titanium dioxide [TiO2] is one of the top 50 produced substances for use around the world. 70% of all [TiO2] produced is used as pigment in consumer products such as plastics, health, beauty aids and other personal care product that we use. Toothpaste products use [TiO2] to get that desirable bright white color as do many other products such as lotions, creams, shave foam, cosmetics, sunscreen lotions and more. Food products such as sour cream, cottage cheese [via the cheese dressing] ice cream and other dairy products use a small quantity of the pigment to attain that familiar brightwhite coloration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological effect of 1/20 of LD50 of [Ti02] on the testes, sperms and chromosomes of albino rats and its relation to the duration of its adminstration. Forty male albino rats had been divided into four groups, ten rats for each. The first was served as a control group, the second was gavaged by [TiO2] 600mg/kg daily for 4weeks. The third was gavaged with same dose of [TiO2] for 8 weeks and the forth group was gavaged by same dose of [Ti02] for 12 weeks. Each rat's group were sacrificed after each duration, testes specimens were taken and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The sperms were examined for number, viability, motility and shape abnormalities. For chromosomal study, rats from each group were anaesthetized and the bone marrow cells were obtained by Rabello-Gay and Ahmed method. Microscopic examination of the testicular specimens, revealed disorganized germinal epithelium with abnormal mitotic figures and apoptotic cells. Sperm analysis showed that sperm count, viability and motility were decreased and the sperm anomalies were increased. Chromosomal analysis of bone marrow cells showed many aberrations as, chromatid deletions, ring chromosomes, chromosomal gaps, dicentric chromosomes, clumping of the chromosomes and polyploidy. All the former revealed that the histopathological changes and abnormalities caused by [TiO2] had been aggravated by prolonged duration of administration