Influence of bacterial endotoxins on bone marrow and blood components

Endotoxin [Lipopolysaccharide, LPS] a component of the bacterial wall of gram-negative bacteria, has been recognized as one of the most potent bacterial products in the induction of host inflammatory responses and tissue injury and was used in this study to mimic infections. LPS induces production and release of several cytokines. In response to these cytokines, different effects of endotoxins are seen. The effect of three types of endotoxins [Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium] on bone marrow, differential counts and peripherial blood parameters were investigated in adult rats. Male spraguo Dawely albino rats weighing 220 - 250 g were used. They were injected i.p. [1 mg/kg body weight] with single dose of 3 types of endotoxins. Blood samples were collected from the experimental animals at 24 and 72 hours of the injection. At 72 hours the bone marrow aspirations were harvested from the femur of the rats for microscopic examination. Endotoxins induced different changes in the cells of bone marrow. Also, lipopolysaccharide caused significant decreases in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets counts, hemoglobin content and hematocrit percent. Data of the present study point out to the dose of these toxins according to suitable pharmacopeia. Lemulus amebocyte lysate [LAL] test is specificly used for determination of the endotoxin limit. This recommendation should be observed to avoid the toxic effects of endotoxins

Technological studies on the essential oil of coriander

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different extraction methods [hydrodistillation, modified hydrodistillation and organic solvent extraction] of essential oil from coriander fruits on its chemical constituents. Also to investigate the changes in the chemical composition and physiochemical properties of coriander volatile oil during storage as a result of packing in different containers P.V.C., glass and aluminum] as well as, the effect of different drying methods [oven drying, spray drying and lyophilization drying] for microencapsulation technique on the main constituent of the volatile oil. The quantitative and qualitative analysis were carried out using GC-MS for different extraction methods and microencapsulation experiments, while the oil samples for storage experiments were analyzed using GLC. Results indicated that hydrodistillation method was superior to the other two; also the storage of coriander volatile oil in aluminum containers for 180 days was safe and had no effect on any of the studied physiochemical parameters. Lyophilization drying method was the most suitable one for preservation of the volatile oil where most of the compounds as well as their relative percentage were nearly like the control sample

Effects of bacterial endotoxin on some metabolites and enzymes in rat serum

The effects of bacterial endotoxins [Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhimurium] on glucose and blood urea nitrogen [BUN] levels and aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT], alanine aminotransferase [ALAT] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] activities were studied. Three groups of rats were injected [1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.] with three types of bacterial endotoxins [E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. typhimurium] as a single dose. The control group was injected i.p. [1 mg/kg] in 0.9% normal saline. Blood sampling was performed from the orbital vein plexus after 24 and 72 hr of injection. Glucose level was increased significantly after 24 hr of after each 3 solutions of endotoxin. Its level showed non-significant decrease after 72 hr post-treatment. However, endotoxins caused significant increases in BUN, ASAT and LDH at 24 and 72 hr post-treatment. On the other hand, the ALAT activity was significantly decreased after the referred observation periods of endotoxins injection. The variation in serum glucose level after 24 and 72 hr post-treatment may be referred to different reasons. On the other hand, the increase of BUN concentration may be due to the toxic effect of bacterial endotoxins resembling to that occurring in renal damage and impairment of renal function. However, the changes in serum aminotransferases and LDH activities may be due to endotoxins induced hepatic microcirculatory disturbance and to the subsequent liver injury and tissue hypoxia

comparative study of inhibition of brain and plasma cholinesterase and hepatic and plasma aliesterases in young and adult rats following exposures to three organophosphorothionate insecticides

Young rats are more sensitive than adults to a variety of Organophosphorothionate insecticides [OPS], compounds which act in vivo by inhibition of Cholinesterase and aliesterases. Little is known, however, regarding age-related differences in biochemical responses to these toxicants. The time course of Cholinesterase and aliesterases inhibit and recovery in different tissues were compared in young [14 days of age] and adult [90-100 days of -age] rats after treatment with high sublethal intraperitoneal dosages of parathion, methyl parathion or chlorpyrifos. Young rats were more sensitive than adult in all cases [high sublethal doses for parathion, methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos; young = 0.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.; adult = 4, 12 and 60 mg/kg, i.p... respectively]. In general, the maximal inhibition of brain regions and plasma Cholinesterase activity was not immediate with parathion and chlorpyrifos, in young and adult rats, reflecting the time required for bioactivation of the phosphorothionates as well as the effectiveness of the aliesterases to inactive much of the hepatically generated oxons. In contrast, brain regions and plasma Cholinesterase activities were rapidly inhibited following administration of methyl parathion in both age groups reflecting the low sensitivity of the aliesterases to methyl paraoxon. In general, maximal plasma and brain regions Cholinesterase inhibition was similar [greater than 80 percent] in both age groups but Cholinesterase activity recovered faster in young rats. Aliesterases were inhibited to a greater extent than acetyl cholinesterase at each sampling time with parathion and chlorpyrifos in young and adult rats where the reverse was true with methyl parathion .The very prolonged inhibition of esterase activities following chlorpyrifos treatment probably results from its substantially greater lipophilicity compared to the other compouritls, which would allow it to be stored and released for gradual bioactivation The data reported indicate that young rats are more sensitive to sublethal dosages from these compounds and that high sublethal doses exposure produce extensive plasma and different brain regions cholinesterase and plasma and liver aliesterases inhibition in both age groups. Significant inhibitor- related and age-related differences in the duration of cholinesterase and aliesterases inhibition can ensue, however, following such Organophosphorothionate insecticides exposures. Additionally, under defined experimental conditions plasma cholinesterase inhibition may be a useful quantitative index for the degree of brain cholinesterase inhibition following organophosphorous exposures

Seasonal variation in lipid metabolism in serum and tissues of the snake malpolon monspessulanus and the lizard uromastix aegyptius

Studies were carried out to examine the changes in total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids metabolism in serum and different tissues during the different phases of the hibernating cycle in two of the hibernating reptiles, Malpolon monspessulanus and Uromastix aegyptius. The present results revealed the occurrence of marked and significant declines in the total lipid content of serum and tissues [liver, brain and skeletal muscle] of both Malpolon monspessulanus and Uromastix aegyptius hibernation. The data indicated active utilization of lipids during winter to supply the hibernating animals with the required energy to maintain physiological process, especially after the depletion of glycogen stores. Significant declines were recorded in the triglyceride content of serum and tissues in U. aegyptius and M. monspessulanus during hibernation. The decreases recorded in the triglyceride content reflect the hydrolysis of triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerol which may provide precursor molecules that are used for gluconeogenesis. The levels of cholesterol and phospholipids in the blood and tissues [liver, brain and skeletal muscle] of both M. monspessulanus and U. aegyptius showed significant increases during hibernation. The hypercholesterolemia recorded during hibernation may be related either to a diminution in the rate of cholesterol secretion into the bile or to a fall in the cholesterol excretion. Also, the decreased rate of catabolism and turnover may account for the increase recorded in cholesterol level during hibernation

Effect of acute administration of amphetamine sulphate on some hormones, metabolites and enzymes in serum of rat

An acute dose of amphetamine sulfate [50 mg/kg] was administered intraperitoneally to rats. The results obtained indicated that blood glucose level showed a highly significant decrease in acutely treated animals. Marked and significant increases were recorded in serum insulin and thyroxine [T4], while nonsignificant increase was recorded in triiodothyronine [T3] in rats treated with acute amphetamine. The cholesterol and triglyceride levels exhibited significant decrease in serum of rats after acute administration. Total lipids and phospholipids did not change significantly. A marked increase in serum protein concentration was recorded. On the other hand, the serum total free amino acids level showed a significant decline which might suggest that the protein biosynthesis was stimulated in rats following amphetamine treatment. The serum GOT and GPT activities exhibited highly significant increases and nonsignificant increase was recorded in alkaline phosphatase activity after acute administration of amphetamine. Elevation of serum GOT and GPT levels reflects hepatocellular damage in response to drug administration. It is proposed that the acute effect of amphetamine is related to the marked hypermetabolic state, which is produced by high doses

Plasma beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotropin and corticosterone changes in response to acute and prolonged morphine administration in rats

The influence of morphine on the functional activity of the pituitary-adrenocortical system in the rate was studied by investigating its effect on the secretion of beta-endorphin [beta-END] and adrenocorticotropin [ACTH] by the pituitary gland and corticosterone by the adrenal gland. The acute administration of morphine [5 mg / 100 g i.p.] produces a characteristic that increases in plasma beta-END, ACTH and corticosterone after 5, 15 and 25 min, whereas decreases in beta-END, ACTH and corticosterone levels sere seen after 90 and 120 min. Saline[i.p.] produced decreases of beta-END and ACTH levels, 90 and 120 min after injection and an increase in corticosterone after 5, 15 and 25 min. It appears that, in the rat, the response of pituitary-adrenal exis to acute morphine administration could change depending upon the time of sampling. Additionally, prolonged morphine [0.5 mg/100 g i.p. daily] administration for a period of 7 days has little effect on plasma level beta-END, ACTH and corticcosterone. This may indicate that drug tolerance might have developed. Conversely, repeated daily doses of morphine [2 mg/100 g i.p.] for 7 days cause a significant lowering of plasma beta-END and ACTH contents, while non-significant decreases in plasma corticosterone level was recorded. These data suggest that the effect of morphine is dose related. Overall, the present results are consistent with an increased release of pro-opiomelanocortin - derived peptides after acute morphine treatment for a short-term, and with a decreased releae of these peptide in prolonged treatment

Studies on lymnaea snails and their trematode parasites in Abis village, Alexandria

Lymnaea snails in Abis II Village were studied as regard to their species, monthly distribution, density and infection rates in different water bodies. The trematode parasites in L. cailliaudi, the only species of Lymnaea in Abis II Village were Xiphidio in 40% of snails and Fasciola in 10%. Echinostome cercariae were detected from few snails outside Abis II Village. The morphological characters of the different larval stages of the detected parasites were described