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BACKGROUND@#Mercury has been documented as an industrial risk that posed a serious danger to human health. Mercury exposure results in oxidative stress that may lead to the pathogenesis of male reproductive dysfunction. The present study investigated the ameliorating potential of Chenopodium album L. and vitamin C against mercuric chloride-induced oxidative deterioration of reproductive functions in adult male rats.@*METHODS@#Group 1 (control) received saline. Group 2 received Mercury (0.15 mg/kg b.w, i.p) dissolved in distilled water. Groups 3 and 4 were given oral gavage of vitamin C (200 mg/kg b.w) and the ethanolic extract of C. album (200 mg/kg b.w) respectively, along with Mercury (0.15 mg/kg b.w, i.p). Group 5 was treated only with C. album (200 mg/kg b.w). After 30 days of the treatment, the rats were dissected and their testicular tissue and the cauda epididymis were used for biochemical analysis while blood plasma was used for protein determination.@*RESULTS@#The applied dose-treatment of Mercury-induced oxidative stress in the testis and cauda epididymis tissues of the rats was apparent by a noteworthy decrease in total protein, CAT, SOD, POD, and GST values while there was increase in ROS and TBARS levels. Furthermore, Mercury decreases daily sperm production and enhanced sperm DNA damage as noticeable by an increase in the head and tail length of comets and decrease in intact DNA. There was no significant effect on the body weight and the weight of the reproductive tissues. Treatment with C. album significantly ameliorated the total protein, ROS, and TBARS content. Similarly, the level of CAT, SOD, POD, and GST was significantly improved and the daily sperm production was significantly increased. Furthermore, C. album administration significantly protected Mercury-induced sperm DNA damage. The results of the extract treatment group were compared with those of vitamin C in detoxifying the oxidative stress and restoring the sperm parameters.@*CONCLUSION@#C. album showed protection against Mercury-induced oxidative stress by ameliorating antioxidant enzyme activity, daily sperm production, and DNA damage in rat testes. This suggests that C. album could be beneficial against toxicity induced by an environmental toxicant.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of action of Fuzheng Huayu Formula (, FZHY) against renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) relating to oxidative injury and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal group, model group and FZHY treatment group. The RIF model was induced by oral administration of HgClat a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight once a day for 9 weeks. Meanwhile, rats in FZHY treatment group orally took FZHY at a dose of 4.0 g/kg rat weight for 9 weeks. The content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) and collagen deposition in kidney were observed. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), the content of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of kidney were tested. The expressions of inhibitor-κappa B (IκB), phospho-IκB (p-IκB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by Western blot. α-SMA expression was also observed by immunofluorescent staining. MMP-2 activity was measured by gelatin zymography. NF-κB activation was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Renal interstitial fibrosis was induced by HgCl, demonstrated by remarkably increased Hyp contents and excessive collagen deposition in kidney (P<0.01). FZHY significantly inhibited renal interstitial collagen deposition and reduced Hyp content of the HgCl-treated rats (P<0.01). GSH content decreased obviously, and MDA content increased signifificantly in HgCl-treated rats compared with that of normal rats (P<0.01). FZHY significantly increased GSH content and decreased MDA content in the model rats (P<0.01). The expression α-SMA was increased in model rats compared with that of normal rats, FZHY signifificantly decreased its expression (P<0.01). The expressions of p-IκB and TNF-α and MMP-2, MMP-2 activity, and NF-κB activation were increased in model group compared with that in normal group (P<0.01), FZHY signifificantly decreased NF-κB activation, MMP-2 activity and p-IκB and TNF-α expressions (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FZHY could protect kidney from oxidative injury intoxicated by HgCl, and antagonized oxidative stress-stimulated NF-κB activity through inhibition of IκB phosphorylation in the interstitial fibrotic kidney, these effects importantly contributed to FZHY action mechanism against renal interstitial fifibrosis.</p>
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The aim of the present study was to elucidate the possible protective role of vitamin E and / or sodium selenite on mercuric chloride-induced oxidative stress and histopathological changes in the lung tissue of the rats. Adult male albino Wistar rats were exposed to mercuric chloride (1.0 mg/kg day) for four weeks. Treatment with mercuric chloride led to oxidative stress by enhancing MDA level and also decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S transferaz (GST) activities. However, mercuric chloride exposure resulted in histopathological changes in the lung tissue in the rats. MDA level and SOD, CAT GPx and GST activities and histopathological changes modulated in concomitantly supplementation of vitamin E (100 mg/kg day) and /or sodium selenite (0.25 mg/kg day) to mercuric chloride-treated groups.
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This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of sodium selenite and/or vitamin E against mercuric chloride-induced cardiotoxicity. Male Wistar rats (n=48, 310±10 g) were administered mercuric chloride (1.0 mg/kg bw), sodium selenite (0.25 mg/kg bw), vitamin E (100 mg/kg bw), sodium selenite plus mercuric chloride, vitamin E plus mercuric chloride and sodium selenite plus vitamin E plus mercuric chloride daily via gavage for four weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, antioxidant enzyme activities [total superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total glutathione-S-transferase (GST)], and histopathological changes in the heart tissue were evaluated. Results showed that mercuric chloride exposure resulted in an increase in the MDA level and a decrease in the SOD, CAT, GPx and GST activities, with respect to the control. Light microscopic investigations revealed that mercuric chloride induced histopathological changes in the heart tissue. A significant decrease in the MDA level and a significant increase in the SOD, CAT, GPx and GST activities were observed on the supplementation of sodium selenite and/or vitamin E to mercuric chloride-treated rats, which showed that, sodium selenite and/or vitamin E significantly reduced mercuric chloride induced cardiotoxicity, but not protected completely.
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The study was undertaken to establish a sub-lethal concentrations (0.0002, 0.002, 0.02mg/L) toxicity of mercuric chloride in Egyptian catfish (Clarias lazera) after long-term (14 days) exposure which achieved by investigation of some selective hematological and biochemical parameters with respect to erythrocyte morphological alterations. Experimental fish were set up with three groups for each concentration, plus the control group. Blood samples were collected from five individuals for each concentration after 14 days of exposure. The hematological parameters analyzed were: total red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total platelets count, total white blood cell count (WBC) and differential leukocyte counts (neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and basophils). Fish exposed to 0.02mg/L Hg for a long time showed a significant decrease in RBC count, Hb, MCHC and platelets number than control groups (P<0.05) with moderate elevations in PCV, MCV, WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte count, glucose and cortisol level compared to the control groups (P<0.05). However, fish exposed to the other two low concentrations showed no toxic effects. Hg at the concentrations studied was toxic to Egyptian catfish (Clarias lazera) at the higher dose only (0.02mg/L) after long term exposure.
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Resumen El mercurio es un contaminante xenobiótico encontrado frecuentemente en ecosistemas naturales, representando un aspecto relevante en salud pública y ambiental debido a los niveles encontrados en fuentes de agua en correlación con la bioacumulación en organismos vivos. El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos inmunotoxicológicos e histopatológicos de la exposición a concentraciones subletales de Cloruro de Mercurio (HgCl2) en cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus). Se utilizaron alevinos de cachama blanca, con un peso de 10 ± 2,1 g, distribuidos en acuarios con aireación constante, sin filtro. El periodo experimental fue de 18 días, utilizando 4 concentraciones basadas en la décima parte de la CL50 descrita para cachama, así como un grupo control. Se realizaron seis muestreos (días 1, 2, 4, 7, 12 y 18) en los cuales se tomaron muestras de sangre para la evaluación de la explosión respiratoria y la capacidad bactericida del plasma. Se calculó el índice hepatosomático y se tomaron muestras para procesamiento histopatológico. Se evidenció una elevación del nivel de explosión respiratoria (estrés oxidativo) en animales expuestos a HgCl2 de una manera dependiente de la concentración, siendo más marcado este efecto al día 12 de exposición. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en los valores de índice hepatosomático (IHS). En la actividad bactericida del plasma se halló una actividad menor en animales expuestos a HgCl2. En el análisis histopatológico se encontraron cambios como hiperplasia, aneurismas y sinequias en branquias; inclusiones hialinas en hígado y centros melanomacrófagos en riñón. Los alevinos de cachama blanca expuestos a dosis subletales de HgCl2, muestran un incremento significativo en la explosión respiratoria (estrés oxidativo), así como cambios en la actividad bactericida del plasma, además de cambios anatomopatológicos a nivel branquial, hepático y renal.
Mercury is a xenobiotic contaminant often found in natural ecosystems. It is relevant for public and environmental health because of the existing correlation between its content in water sources and mercury bioaccumulation in living organisms. This work assessed the immune and histopathological effects of exposure to sublethal concentrations of mercury chloride (HgCl2) in Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus). Pacu fingerlings weighing 10 ± 2.1 g were distributed in constantly aerated tanks with no filter. The experimental period was 18 days. A negative control group and four Hg levels were used based on the tenth of LC50 for Pacu. Six blood samples were taken on days 1, 2, 4, 7, 12 and 18 to measure respiratory burst and bactericidal activity of the plasma. The hepatosomatic index was calculated and samples were taken for histopathological examination. Increased respiratory burst (oxidative stress) was observed in animals exposed to HgCl2 in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was more pronounced at day 12 of exposure. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) values showed no significant differences. Animals exposed to HgCl2 showed low bactericidal activity of plasma. Histopathological changes such as hyperplasia, aneurysms and synechiae were found in gills, while hyaline inclusions were observed in liver and melanomacrophage centers in kidney. Pacu fingerlings exposed to sublethal doses of HgCl2 had a significant increase in oxidative stress and changes in plasma bactericidal activity in addition to pathological changes in the gills, hepatic and renal tissues.
O mercúrio é um contaminante xenobiótico encontrado frequentemente nos ecossistemas naturais, o qual representa um aspecto muito importante na saúde pública e ambiental devido aos níveis encontrados nas fontes de agua, as quais além, tem correlação com a bioacumulação em organismos vivos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os efeitos imunotoxicológicos e histopatológicos da exposição a concentrações subletais de Cloreto de Mercúrio (HgCl2) em Pirapitinga branca (Piaractus brachypomus). Utilizaram-se alevinos de Pirapitinga branca com um peso médio de 10 ± 2,1 g, distribuídos em aquários com tanques de aireação constante sem filtro. O período experimental foi de 18 dias, utilizando quatro concentrações baseadas na decima parte da CL50 descrita para Pirapitinga branca assim como no grupo controle. Realizaram-se seis amostragens (dias 1, 2, 4, 7, 12 e 18) nos quais tomaram-se amostras de sangue para a avaliação da explosão respiratória e a capacidade bactericida do plasma. Calculou-se o índice hepatosomático e pegaram-se amostras para processamento histopatológico. Evidenciou-se uma elevação do nível de explosão respiratória (estresse oxidativo) em animais expostos ao HgCl2 de uma maneira dependente da concentração, sendo mais marcado este efeito ao dia 12 da exposição. Não se encontraram diferenças significativas nos valores do índice hepatosomático (IHS). Na atividade bactericida do plasma achou-se uma atividade menor em animais expostos ao HgCl2. Na análise histopatológica encontraram-se mudanças como hiperplasia, aneurisma e sinéquias em brânquias, inclusões hialinas no fígado e centros melanomacrófagos nos rins. Os alevinos de Pirapitinga branca expostos a doses sub-letais de HgCl2, amostraram um incremento significativo na explosão respiratória (estresse oxidativo) assim como mudanças na atividade bactericida do plasma, além de mudanças anatomopatológicas no nível branquial, hepático e renal.
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The Present studies were carried out to identify the medicinal plants, folk knowledge of medicinal plants and to motivate the inhabitants of Kurram Agency to use their knowledge in a better way. The area has high potential regarding its biodiversity as well as valuable medicinal plants. The Information was collected from traditional experts regarding 26 medicinally important species belonging to 17 families. Asparagus officinalis Royal is used for constipation, Berberis lyceum Royal is used for urine and chest problems, Cichorium intybus Linn is used as antipyretic, Foeniculum vulgare Millis is used for stomach problems, blood purifier & intestinal diseases, Fumaria indica Haussk is used as a drug for blood purification and as antipyretic, Quercus ilex Rox is used in diabetes, Seriphidium kurramensis L is being used as a good anti-malarial drug and a vermifuge and Ziziphora teniour Linn is used as carminative and for colic pain. These specimens were deposited in the herbarium at plant sciences department, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan for further medicinal investigation.
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The marine fish Therapon jarbua was exposed to acute concentration of mercuric chloride (HgCl2). In static acute toxicity bioassays at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr LC50 values were estimated for each concentrations such as control, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 ppm, respectively. DNA damage (single-strand break) was also studied in gill, kidney and blood tissues at single-cell levels in the specimens exposed to different acute doses of HgCl2, by applying single-cell electrophoresis (comet assay). Dose- dependent responses were observed in DNA damage in all tissues. A comparison of DNA damage in all tissue at two concentration namely, 0.125 and 0.25 ppm indicated that the gill cells (maximum damage as 249.3 and 289.7 AU) were more sensitive to the heavy metal exposure than kidney (maximum 225.17 AU) and blood cells (maximum 200.3 AU). This study explored the utility of the comet assay for in vivo laboratory studies using fish for screening the genotoxic potential for various agents.
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Thirty two rhizobia were isolated from the fresh healthy root nodules of horse gram. They were found to be highly salt tolerant. They were identified as rhizobia by cultural, biochemical and 16S rRNA sequence. The sequences of the four selected isolates were deposited in the NCBI GenBank. The obtained accession numbers were GQ483457, GQ483458, GQ483459 and GQ483460. All the rhizobia were able to grow at 10 ppm mercuric chloride concentration. Four isolates HGR-11, 16, 30 and 31 were used to study the effect of different concentrations of mercuric chloride on the growth of rhizobia. These isolates were able to grow at 30 ppm concentration also. In these isolates, HGR-11 and HGR-30 showed maximum growth at 20 ppm than at control. These isolates contained one mega plasmid (~ 22 kb) at 20 ppm mercuric chloride concentration.
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Mercuric chloride, a model nephrotoxicant was used to elucidate time- and dose-dependent global gene expression changes associated with proximal tubular toxicity. Rat kidney cell lines NRK-52E cells were exposed for 2, 6 and 12 hours and with 3 different doses of mercuric chloride. Cell viability assay showed that mercuric chloride had toxic effects on NRK-52E cells causing 20% cell death (IC20) at 40micrometer concentration. We set this IC20 as high dose concentration and 1/5 and 1/25 concentration of LC20 were used as mid and low concentration, respectively. Analyses of microarray data revealed that 738 genes were differentially expressed (more than two-fold change and p<0.05) by low concentration of mercuric chloride at least one time point in NRK-52E cells. 317 and 2,499 genes were differentially expressed at mid and high concentration of mercuric chloride, respectively. These deregulated genes showed a primary involvement with protein trafficking (CAV2, CANX, CORO1B), detoxification (GSTs) and immunity and defense (HMOX1, NQO1). Several of these genes were previously reported to be up-regulated in proximal tubule cells treated with nephrotoxicants and might be aid in promoting the predictive biomarkers for nephrotoxicity.
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Animals , Rats , Cell Death , Cell Line , Cell Survival , Gene Expression , Kidney , Mercuric Chloride , Protein Transport , BiomarkersABSTRACT
Effect of short term (7 days) exposure to safe concentration of HgCl2 (0.5 ppm) and changes 7 days after withdrawl of the treatment on histophysiology of ovary and liver in yearlings of Cyprinus carpio were assessed during active phase of reproductive cycle. Noticeable degenerative histophysiological changes were observed in both ovary and liver after exposure which were more prominent in the group with abnormal behaviour. After withdrawl of the HgCl2 treatment the recovery was apparent in both organs but was more appreciable in liver. These observations indicated that even safe concentration of HgCl2 might not be fully devoid of deleterious influence on reproductive functions in Cyprinus carpio.
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Objective To study the anti-neuroglioma effect of methyl-mercuric chloride(MMC) by observing the morphological changes of apoptotic neuroglioma cells induced with MMC in rats with brain neuroglioma.Methods The rat models of neuroglioma were established,and divided into two groups.The rats in experimental group were lavaged with MMC 1 week after injected with C6 glioma cells,10 mg?kg-1every day,the rats in control group were treated with sodium chloride at the same dose.24 d after inoculation all rats were sacrificed except natural death,the brain tissues were obtained,and the pathohistological changes were observed under light microscope and transmission electron microscope.Results The macropathological result showed that the tumor volume in experimental group was smaller than that in control group.Under light microscope,in experimental group the growth density of C6 ghioma cells was lower than that in control group,and the apoptotic cells with smaller volume and karyopyknosis were found.The result of transmission electron microscope showed that in experimental group,the glioma cells had some changes such as karyopyknosis,chromoplasm margination,nuclear fragmentation and vacuolar degeneration and so on.Conclusion MMC has inhibitory effect on the proliferation of C6 glioma in rats in vivo,its mechanism may be related to inducing the apoptosis of neuroglioma cells.
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This experiment was performed to study the morphological changes of the spleen of mice following injection of sodium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or mercuric chloride (HgCl2). Male mice were divided into normal and experimental groups. The mice were subcutaneously injected with mercuric chloride (5 mg or 10 mg/kg) or sodium dichromate (10 mg or 20 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed on 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week and 2 weeks after injections. Pieces of splenic tissue were taken from each mouse, and fixed in 10% neutral formalin for light microscopy. The paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson-trichrome, Bielschowsky's silver impregnation or aldehyde-fuchsin stain. For electron microscopy, the tissues were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformalde-hyde, and post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide. Dehydrated blocks were embedded in araldite mixture. The ultrathin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were observed with JEM 100CX-II electron microscope. On histological study, in the early stage (6 hours) of experimental groups, splenic white pulp exhibited numerous vacuoles containing pyknotic nuclei were observed as compared with those of normal control group. But after 3 days(sodium dichromate, 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg; mercuric chloride, 5 mg/kg) and 1 week (mercuric chloride, 10mg/kg), the morphology was recovered to normal one. In the experimental groups, positive reactions to Bielschowsky's silver impregnation, Masson-trichrome or aldehyde-fuchsin stain were similar to those of normal control group. On the ultrastructural study, in white pulps of experimental groups, nuclear bodies were observed frequently in the nuclei of the lymphocytes and the reticular cells, and myelin figures were observed in the nucleus or in the cytoplasm of the lymphocytes and the reticular cells. The plasma cells showed many irregularly distended cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticula and the macrophages containing phagosomes, were observed frequently. From the above results, it was concluded that potassium dichromate or mercuric chloride could disturb the normal differentiation or maturation of the lymphocytes and the reticular cells of the spleen, especially in the early stage of treatment. But histological changes occurred in the spleen following injection of the potassium dichromate or mercuric chloride were recovered to normal appearance in 3 days (potassium dichromate) or 1 week (mercuric chloride). Mercuric chloride was more harmful than potassium dichromate on the spleen.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Mice , Citric Acid , Cytoplasm , Formaldehyde , Lymphocytes , Macrophages , Mercuric Chloride , Microscopy , Microscopy, Electron , Myelin Sheath , Osmium Tetroxide , Paraffin , Phagosomes , Plasma Cells , Potassium Dichromate , Potassium , Silver , Sodium , Spleen , VacuolesABSTRACT
Objective To observe the toxic effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on the productive function of male mice with lower dosage exposune. Methods 4 week-aged male ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 exposure groups, and control group. The 3 exposure groups were treated with doses of 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 mg/kg HgCl2 by peritoneal injection respectively, one time per 3 days, 10 times in total. After exposure to HgCl2 for 50 days, the male mice were mated with female mice non-exposed to HgCl2 in a ratio 1∶2. The pregnant rate, number of pups whelped per group, body weight of offspring, testis index, sperm count, sperm motility rate, abnormal sperm rate were observed. Results The pregnant rates were 100%, 100%, 83.33% and 66.67% for control group, 0.25 mg/kg group, 0.50 mg/kg group and 1.00 mg/kg group respectively during 1-week conception, 100%, 100%, 83.33% and 75% for above corresponding groups respectively during 3-weeks conception respectively. The pregnant rate of 1.00 mg/kg group was significantly lower than that of control during 1-week conception (P
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AIM: Baijiangdan is a mineral herb containing mercuric chloride and mercurous chloride.To establish the quality standard for this mineral herb. METHODS: The microscope examination techniques,titration methods and X-ray diffractometry methods were used. RESULTS: These methods can be used for (identification) and quantitative (analysis) of Baijiangdan. CONCLUSION: This paper proposes microscopic examination techniques and physio-chemical methods such as X-ray diffractometry and titration methods for the identification and quantitative analysis of the herb.
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This study was conducted to investigate the metallothionein induction by sodium selenite in mercuric Chloride intoxication. Mercuric chloride of 3.0 mg/kg of body weight was administered simultaneously with sodium selenite of either a high dosage of 2.5 mg/kg or low dosage of 1mg/kg via intraperitioneal injecion to rats. After the treatment, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours later, mercury and selenium content in liver and kidney tissues, serum transaminase activities(SGOT, SGPT), metallothionein, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase sotivity and histological changes were determined. The results were summarized as follows on: 1. The combined administration of mercury and selenium significantly more decreased mercury concentrations in liver and kidney compared to the administration of mercury only. 2. The combined administration of mercury and selenium significantly more increased renal metallothionein compared to administration of mercury only. This phenomenon was more remarkable when a large dose(2.5 mg/kg) of selenium was administered with mercuric chloride. 3. Glutathione concentration, glutathione peroxidase activity in liver and kidney and serum transaininase activity(SGOT, SGPT) were less suppressed in the combined administration group than the mercury only group. 4. Histological damage in renal tissue was not revealed in rats treated with mercury and selenium. From the above results, selenium administered simultaneously with mercury decreased mercury concentration in liver and kidney, increased renal metallothionein concentration and decreased the toxicity of mercury. The hypothetic mechanism suggested is that selenium induces the metallothionein combined with Hg and redistributes Hg in tissues.